Iconic Concierge Vancouver Summer 2020

SUMMER 2020

COMPLIMENTARY SUMMER 2014

ICONIC

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR THE AFFLUENT GENTLEMAN

THE BEAUTY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

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ICONIC CONCIERGE

publisher’s LETTER

brave new world

so here we are. it’s been a while. 6 months, to be exact. welcome back - to a whole different world. who would have guessed that the last time we met here, in this magazine, or at some event, that nothing would be the same only a few weeks later? we came from a world where we would meet friends and family at restaurants, attend big events check out the coolest cars, gatherwith thousands of people in a park or on a racetrack. a world, in which we would explore other countries several times a year, where we would hug our best friends, and shake hands with strangers. how things have changed. there are now new rules for what we can and can’t do in our daily lives, and we have to adapt to a ‘new normal.’ but rest assured, we will make it, get through this. together. and come out stronger.

olaf robrecht publisher olaf@iconic-concierge.com

we decided against a ‘pandemic edition’, and have avoided digging deep into fact and fiction, or introducing you to the best face masks and hand sanitizers. we have lived with this situation 24/7 for far too long and and the information is already widespread across the internet. instead, we have collated a few photos and opted for a big feature on our home - british columbia. how lucky we are to live in this beautiful part of the world. also - a big thank you to all of you out there who stood and stand in front of the line. cheers!

Cancelations & Alternatives It’s been a very different year so far. We don’t want to go into any details, you know what we are talking about, but we had some pretty cool travel experiences lined up for this year. So far, all but one (which could still happen later this year, fingers crossed), had to be cancelled. However, in an attempt to avoid a bout of extreme cabin-fever (no pun intended), we still managed to head out for a bit. After all, you don’t have to leave British Columbia to experience the vacation of a lifetime. Head over to our BC special ... and discover some very unique resorts, right here, “at home”!

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CLASSIC FUSION CLASSIC FUSION FERRARI GT FERRARI GT 3D carbon case. In-house 3D carbon case. In-house UNICO chronograph movement.

UNICO chronograph movement.

Limited to 500 pieces.

Limited to 500 pieces.

B O U T I Q U E VA N C O U V E R

B O UAlberni T I Q UStreet E VA •N604 C O559 U V 8883 ER 1080 1080 Alberni Street • 604 559 8883

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ICONIC CONCIERGE

vol. 15 [2020]

www.iconic-concierge.com

On the cover: Emerald Lake Lodge | photo: Dean Cebuliak

PUBLISHER:

OLAF ROBRECHT olaf@iconic-concierge.com

AUTOMOTIVE EDITOR:

ROBBIE DICKSON

FASHION EDITOR:

JASON SARAI

LIFESTYLE EDITOR:

NATALIE LANGSTON

HEALTH & FITNESS EDITOR: CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

PHOTOGRAPHY: COPY EDITOR: DESIGN/ LAYOUT: ADVERTISING SALES:

DR. OLIVER FINLAY JASON BOUDREAU, KEITH TRUSLER, AMANDA WOOD, JESSE DEAN COOK, DR. OLIVER FINLAY, JULIE-ANNA VOGEL, DR. CHRISTIAN BRIX, JIM GORDON KEVIN UY MIKE STRAUS YADA-YADA MEDIA please contact iconicconciergemagazine@gmail.com

iconic_concierge Iconic Concierge is published by

Printed in Canada.

barberandco

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ICONIC CONCIERGE

barberandco.com

All rights reserved. No part of Iconic Concierge Magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising material. The views expressed in Iconic Concierge are those of the respective contributors and not necessarily those of the publisher or staff.

Although all reasonable attempts are made to ensure accuracy, the publishers do not assume any liability for errors or omissions anywhere in the publication or on the website. Iconic Concierge reserves the rights to ads produced for advertisers.

THE 8

REDEFINING LUXURY

2311 Boundary Road, Vancouver 604.222.7788 | brianjesselbmw.com

dreamT E A M

OLAF ROBRECHT publisher

An entrepreneur who is always on the lookout for new projects he is passionate about, Olaf has run several businesses since he came to Canada 18 years ago. These days you will find lifestyle and car magazines as well as a design & marketing company connected to his name, although he might be better known for his little collection of spirited automobiles.

ROBBIE DICKSON chief gear head

Born in England, Robbie is a selfstyled entrepreneur with a passion for exotic cars, boats and watches.

He owned pretty much every car you can imagine although he still calls a Lotus Elise he once owned his favourite. Tracked extensively, Robbie claims it was “the most affordable fun you can have with your clothes on ...”

JASON SARAI

bespoke stylist & fashion editor When Jason found the world of bespoke suiting and styling, he had little choice but to turn it from a passion project into his life’s work with Style by Sarai. He has gone from being fashion advisor for family and friends, to the trusted bespoke stylist for professionals and grooms-to-be, by enhancing their confidence and helping them become their own style icon.

CRAIG STOWE luxury events

Craig is recognized as Vancouver’s #1 creator and producer luxury events bringing together affluent buyers and sellers of luxury brands in an engaging business social setting. He is the Founder and President of Luxury Alliance Group, Luxury & Supercar Weekend, Hublot Diamond Rally, PorscheRally, TennisLoveChampagne and Global Spirits Festival.

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NATALIE LANGSTON

AMANDA WOOD

lifestyle editor

creative muse

Natalie is an accomplished Canadian TV Host and Lifestyle Expert for Global BC, Breakfast Television + JRfm. Fitness & Health Reporter for BC Living.

Freelance journalist and Emcee with a passion for all things Fitness, Fashion and Fun. Volunteer and Spokesperson for Dress for Success Vancouver, member of Ladies Who Lunch Global Network for female entrepreneurs and Style Ambassador for the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards.

Amanda Wood is a professional jazz and pop singer, social influencer and real estate assistant to Jesse Dean Cook. She is soulful, sexy and sophisticated with a passion for travel and living life to the fullest. Amanda contributes to Iconic Concierge in many forms from writing, editing, modeling and general creative input.

JESSE DEAN COOK

JASON BOUDREAU CFP, CLU

luxury real estate specialist

wealth advisor

Having worked as a Global Executive for a multi-billion dollar corporation, Jesse has a decade of international business experience and is now one of the top luxury real estate agents based in West Vancouver. He truly cherishes the relationship he has with his clients, helping them navigate the process of selling and buying their spectacular residential properties.

As the founder of VELA Wealth, Jason is fuelled by watching clients fulfill their vision of life success for their family, community and legacy.

Focusing on inter-generational wealth transfer, life insurance, legacy and estate planning, he advises successful entrepreneurial families on how to make meaningful choices at the intersection of their life and their wealth.

KEITH TRUSLER

JULIE-ANNA VOGEL

imbibing authority

travel consultant

The Brand Ambassador for numerous Luxury Brands for several years now, Keith is a veteran of the restaurant industry in Vancouver and has extensive experience as a bartender, mixologist and chef. As a Connoisseur of spirits and wine, he tirelessly pursues the finest dining and imbibing experiences the city has to offer.

Always on the road, Julie inspires others to explore on and off the beaten path. Having traveled to more than 100 countries, she shares her experiences on www.julieabroad.com and uses her skills as a travel advisor to help create dream getaways. Follow her in uncovering the ‘must-dos’ of the world’s coolest cities in her column “A Gentleman Abroad”.

sport, health & fitness

DR. OLIVER FINLAY

JIM GORDON LEETA LIEPINS

Having traveled the globe, working with pro teams & athletes in sports environments as diverse as F1, EPL soccer, NHL & ATP tennis, to attain peak performance, Oliver arrived in Vancouver for his PhD, exploring how the World’s best sports teams manage change initiatives. Passionate about human performance & sport’s impact on community, he highlights the industry’s latest & greatest developments.

They are the Hosts & Producers of the weekly, national TV show, “Our City Tonight”, which can been seen Sundays at 12:30pm on City TV. Each week they showcase Vancouver’s entertainment, nightlife, music, fashion, business, automotive, food & wine. You can also see past episodes on the “Our City Tonight” YouTube channel.

city experts

ICONIC CONCIERGE

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CONTENTS

/ summer 2020 /

COLUMNS

COVER

AUTOMOTIVE

8

28

44

22

The Beauty of British Columbia

The 2020 BMW M850i Cabriolet

Publisher’s Letter

The Specter Journal You Want This!

“Stay Home” Made Easy

FEATURES

Open-Air Season

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Dynamic Duo

76

25

Range Rover Velar SVA v Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Candid Conversations with Leaders

How Life Has Changed During The Pandemic

Fresh From The Printer

Creating Impact

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The Manly Man Sean Penn

Groundhog Days

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28

The Czinger 21C

The Beauty of British Columbia

The Need For Speed

“Stay Home” Made Easy

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84

32

The Relentless Motorsports F3 Americas Team

A Custom Tailored Life

Memories of a Lifetime - Made in BC

BOATING

The Essential Man

Luxury Lodging

86

42

Fragrances for Men

Real Men Build LEGO

In Style!

Construction Boom

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The Shores Of This Great Ocean

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60

Boating in British Columbia

They Should Have Taught You This In School

The Most Desirable Watches in 2020

Wave Warriors

The Gentleman

Watches & Wonders

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90

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SailGP: Epic Battles on the Water

Vancouver Dream Estates

The Aventi A-10 Tourbillon

A New Dimension

Real Estate

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Real Estate

Find Your Next Door

A Supercar For Your Wrist

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The 80 Sunreef Power

Under, Norway

PERSONALITIES

Underwater Cuisine

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98

Banff, Canada

Dream Destinations for 2021

The Gentleman Abroad

106

Worth The Wait!

What Women Want

DESTINATIONS

110

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Your Summer Shopping Guide

Summer Sippers

Do You Need A Signature Cocktail?

112

Our City Tonight M8 Bistro & Bar

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“Stay Home” Made Easy The Beauty of British Columbia

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The Gentleman Abroad Banff, Canada

98

Worth The Wait!

Dream Destinations for 2021

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Kevin Cheung

CEO LANDA Global Properties

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Ian Telfer

Creating Impact

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Sean Penn

The Manly Man

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Dr. Patrick Yang A Custom Tailored Life

108

Otto Tausk

Music Director VSO

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CONTENTS

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42 70

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ELEVATING

EXCELLENCE ’ Skyline ReShaping Vancouver’s

KEVIN CHEUNG CEO LANDA Global Properties

By Oliver Finlay Photographed by David Hamilton

I

IC: In fifteen words or less, who are you and what do you do?

KC: Kevin Cheung, real estate entrepreneur, raising the bar for luxury developments in Vancouver.

IC: Where are you from and what brought you to Vancouver?

KC: I was born in Shanghai, but moved to Montréal at age 3 when my mother came to do a masters in software and hardware engineering. I can remember it was cold and snowy, but I can’t really remember much about the people, as those memories were in French and I can’t remember how to speak the language now. After five years there, we moved to Seattle for a few years and then to Vancouver, where I went to high school and university, before moving back to Shanghai. However, after 3 years working in the family real estate development business there, I was desperate to come back and set up on my own.

IC: What is it about Vancouver that made you want to return from Shanghai and develop your real estate business here?

KC: It just felt like home…all the things that make Vancouver great - the outdoor lifestyle, the sea-wall, nature. It may sound

cliché but life is less intense here than Shanghai and it has an effect on the body.

I wanted to set up my company, Landa Global, to reflect this quality of living.

IC: What is the vision of Landa Global and how is that demonstrated in the projects that you undertake?

KC: We handpick prominent locations, often corner sites that can take a greater level of design and architectural innovation. For each project, we create a site-specific vision, as opposed to having a project in mind and then looking for somewhere to place it. I can go look at a site and develop a picture in my mind of what we can do with it - for example, 1818 Alberni just shouted at us. It’s such a wonderful location.

IC: The real estate market endured a tough year in 2019. Were you anxious at any point that your vision for the company was in jeopardy?

KC: A little…but I kept reminding myself that it was a downturn in the market.

We got hit the hardest because of our commitment to the luxury market but the base economics are strong - there are strong immigration statistics and we recognize that it’s just part of the cycle.

Château Laurier was half complete by the time the downturn hit but we had always planned to cap pre-sales once half the units were sold. We wanted to await completion to allow further prospective buyers to really gain an understanding of the quality and philosophy. It’s not your typical Vancouver project, as the units are at least 2,000 square feet and have 3 bedrooms and den - in a way quite a similar concept to 1818 with large units - so they’re aimed at Shaughnessy down-sizers who want to remain in the area.

IC: Some of Vancouver’s real estate developers and architects are starting to make a name for themselves beyond the city limits. Does that inspire you and challenge you to raise the bar with your developments?

KC: Absolutely. We aim to raise the bar with each project. For 1818 Alberni, we wanted to raise the bar for luxury and offer a spec that is unheard of. Cascade in Richmond is the same.

In fact, we have just completed the purchase of a new site in Richmond across from the Oval that will include a hotel, three towers, two residential. The idea is to raise our own bar once again, and I can show you our top secret first designs of that [editor’s aside: they are incredible!].

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KC: Yes, 1400 Alberni is taking a leadership position in terms of sustainability.

Our aim is to reduce energy consumption by 90%, before adding solar and wind power.

It involves taking a degree of risk, as it is uncharted territory to build a Passive House of this size, but we’ve been learning quickly. We have taken trips to Belgium, as they had an energy crisis about 20 years ago, and subsequently changed their building code to incorporate the Passivhaus (passive house) approach. So for us, that was a great place to start our research and we now work with a consultant [editor’s note: “passive house” is a voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, which reduces its ecological footprint].

IC: Without mentioning any specific projects, a couple of greatly anticipated building completions have recently been blighted by some rather high profile quality control issues. How can buyers ensure that the shiny sales presentations are not selling a dream that could turn into a nightmare when they’re handed the keys?

KC: I can only speak for Landa Global and the fact that we take a different approach to our design, in that we are committed to the balance between form and function. I believe the flow of the spaces and the movement through the building has to be both interesting and allow for functional form.

Our aim is to enhance the lives of our residents, by having a

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positive impact on them as they go about their lives, which in turn, allows them to prosper.

We want to provide privacy and luxury, with an attention to detail that is unique in the city.

We believe in creating legacies that contribute a positive impact on neighbourhoods and the city as a whole, so the cookie-cutter projects just don’t excite us.

IC: One focus for these interviews is sustainability, with many of the entrepreneurs that IC speaks with, sharing a passion for developing environmentally aware and sustainable projects. I believe that 1400 Alberni is slated to become the tallest passivehouse tower in the world. Tell us more about this and other characteristics of your developments.

We are really keen on exploring how we address sustainability and 1400 Alberni is the big leap for us. We are not just repeating the Passive House concept, we are going over and above the regulations and we believe that this is a great statement for Vancouver, as well. Consequently, this has demanded collaboration with some of the leading designers and engineers around the world to make this happen.

IC: Seattle has been at the forefront of sustainable building over the last 5-10 years, with the likes of the Bullitt Center (certified as a “Living Building”, it produces more than 30% more energy than is needed for all uses and includes features such as an onsite rainwater-to-potable water system) and the new Amazon Spheres. UBC has also been making a name for itself with some of the innovations that have been developed in their engineering departments. Do you see the Pacific Northwest as being at the epicentre of construction innovation and if so why do you think that is?

KC: I think we are, and I think the government is pushing that, whilst the developers are interested too. But you have

to put this in perspective. In Belgium, where they have been working to Passive House regulations for years, even social housing has to meet Passive House standards, as has any project that requires over a 75% rebuild.

IC: If you were to retire tomorrow, which of your developments would you be most proud of?

KC: I love them all, but 1400 Alberni would probably be the golden child because of the twin towers and the height.

Each building has its own legacy factor, but 1400 is the one I think is most innovative.

That said, my mind is always moving on to the next project and how we can make that even better, so ask me again in a few months and I might have a different answer.

IC: What was your first business venture and how old were you when you started it?

KC: I got my real estate license at 19. I immediately bought a single family lot on the west side of Vancouver and built a on it. I’m still very proud of it and it demonstrated the family influence. It’s such a great sense of accomplishment to create a home, to provide a space for a family to live in while also creating a positive impact on the community.

IC: Who are your mentors?

KC: My father. He’s a real estate developer with many years of experience and as such, someone I can always run ideas by.

IC: What 3 words would your closest friends use to describe you?

KC: Adventurous, innovative, fun loving.

IC: Thank you, Kevin - it’s been great to hear the inside track on these stunning developments.

Now, all

(top left) Château Laurier, Shaughnessy | (bottom left) 1818 Alberni | (right) 1400 Alberni

that is left, is for you to answer Iconic Concierge’s ‘Completely Unrelated, but Nevertheless Entertaining Standard 10 Questions’…

Are you ready?

KC: Love it!

IC: You lose everything you own. How do you rise like a phoenix from the ashes?

KC: Connections and friends… combined with a solid work ethic. Then, as I start to earn again, save my money and compound interest.

IC: You find a lottery ticket that ends up winning you $20 million. What do you do?

KC: Easy. Reinvest it into another cool project.

IC: You can invite 5 people for a dinner party - and the guest list isn’t restricted by the confines of time and mortality.

Who joins you for dinner and why?

KC: Sir Li Ka Shing (a Hong Kong business magnate, investor and philanthropist), Warren Buffet, Elon Musk, Jack Ma (Alibaba co-founder) and my great-grandfather.

IC: What was your first car, what do you drive now and what is your dream car?

KC: My first car was a Toyota Corolla that my mom gave me.

My daily driver now is a Tesla Model X but I love cars, so I do have a couple of track toys.

I own a Lamborghini Huracán Performante and a Porsche GT3RS. As for my dream car - I’m building my relationship with Ferrari, as I would love some of their special editions, but they aren’t models you can just walk in and buy. That said, I hadn’t seen the Devels before until I read the last edition of the magazine…they’re beautiful.

IC: What one piece of advice would you give to your 16 year old self?

KC: Invest early.

IC: Who would play you in a movie about your life?

KC: Ryan Reynolds.

IC: We can’t wait to explore again. Where is your favourite travel destination and why?

KC: A tough question, I love traveling. always love going back to Shanghai to see family but aside from that I really enjoy going to London.

Once it is safe to travel again, I would like to visit Panama for a fishing trip, and explore Kenya, following the herds across the Massai Mara during the Great Migration IC: Tell me your favourite joke…

KC: Two pirates, Morty and Sol, meet in a bar. Sol has a patch over one eye, a hook for a hand, and a wooden peg leg.

“Ye gads, matey,” says Morty.

“What happened to ya?” Sol says, “Me pirate ship was attacked, and a lucky shot lopped off me leg. So now I got me a wooden peg.” “And yer hand?” asks Morty. “When me

ship sank, a shark bit me hand off. So now I got me a hook.”, Sol replies. “OK, but what’s with the eye patch?”, continues Morty. “I was standin’ on a dock, and the biggest seagull I ever saw poops right in me eye.” exclaims Sol. “But ya don’t go blind from no seagull poop.” queries Morty. “True,” says Sol. “But it was me first day with the hook.”

IC: Where is your favourite Vancouver restaurant?

KC: Tetsu Sushi. It’s a small but super authentic restaurant, with the freshest fish flown in from around the world.

IC: Complete the sentence: “Vancouver is a great place for entrepreneurs in 2020, because…”

KC: …it’s a great place to live and, as a hot-bed for entrepreneurship, we are becoming a growing global destination that attracts some incredible talent.

Thank you, Kevin!

ICONIC CONCIERGE

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CHRONOFIGHTER SUPERLIGHT SKELETON Translucent Carbon Automatic Chronograph

GRAHAM WATCHES USA, T:+1 305 890 6409 | GRAHAM WATCHES CANADA, T:+1 403 354 4662 | george@graham1695.com

IT’S HOW JAGUAR DOES SUVS

Get acquainted with the Jaguar family of luxury performance SUVs, known for power, agility and, of course, luxury. From the F-PACE, the first full-size SUV from Jaguar, to the I-PACE, our award-winning all-electric vehicle, to the E-PACE, our sporty yet spacious compact SUV—the family resemblance is as uncanny as it is exciting.

Test drive one today at your local Jaguar Authorized Retailer.

JAGUAR RICHMOND 5680 PARKWOOD WAY 604-273-6068 jaguarrichmond.com

JAGUAR LANGLEY 5978 COLLECTION DR 604-210-3361 jaguarlangley.ca

Vehicles shown: 2020 Jaguar E-PACE R-Dynamic, 2020 Jaguar F-PACE S, 2020 Jaguar I-PACE HSE. © 2020 Jaguar Land Rover Canada ULC

JAGUAR VANCOUVER 1730 BURRARD ST 604-738-5577 jaguarvancouver.ca

PRADA GOES GREEN Prada’s classic nylon bags are getting a green makeover.

The Italian fashion house has partnered with Aquafil, which manufactures ECONYL from plastic waste from oceans and fishing nets as well as textile fibre waste, and offers a new line of bags made from the regenerated nylon material. It can be recycled over and over again without losing quality.

PITCHOU TRIBUTE TO LOUIS VUITTON The Pitchou cute 90 Downtown Tribute to Louis Vuitton is a 90 × 110 × 55 cm free standing resin sculpture by F&G (Fratz & Gio), exploring an unconventional approach to pop art represented by the unique and unexplored combination of materials.

Prada plans to make all of its nylon products from ECONYL by the end of 2021.

You will find more unique F&G sculptures, ranging from Mickey Mouse to John Lennon, at several Eden Fine Art Galleries.

www.prada.com

www.eden-gallery.com

VELOCE RS BLACK EDITION ESPRESSO MACHINE

KICKBACK BY J. DUSSAULT Sneakers have long been considered functional pieces of art and rightfully so. Now, Vancouver-born and New Yorkbased artist Jason Dussault pays homage to a selection of his favourite sneakers from his formative years. Jason has taken his unique application of mosaic tile-work and applied it to the medium of a range of classic kicks, from Chuck Taylors to Air Jordans. www.jasondussault.com

Porsche-fans rejoice! You can now get your espresso the right way - from a flat six! The new Espresso Veloce RS Black Edition is an espresso machine designed to evoke the design cues of the iconic flat six used in the last of the air-cooled Porsche 911s – the 993. Each of these machines is made from a combination of carbon fibre, titanium, anticorodal 6082 T6 and 7075 aluminum alloy, and surgical grade stainless steel, adding up to a total weight of 21.5 kilograms. Appr. US$12,000. www.superveloce.co

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LAZARETH LM410 A few years ago, we introduced you to the Lazareth LM 847 four-wheeled motorcycle with a mighty Maserati V8 engine delivering 470 hp. Fast forward to 2020 and Lazareth is back with its latest model, the LM410, which uses the high-revving 998cc four-cylinder engine of a Yamaha R1 superbike. The rest is pure and brutal Lazareth design with its typical unique layout and four wheels for superior handling and braking.

Lazareth intends on building just 10 examples of the LM 410, each priced at around US$110,000. www.lazareth.fr

BENTLEY STROLLER TRIKE C’mon, don’t you want to be a kid again when you see this one? This cool stroller is officially designed and licensed by Bentley Motors UK and must be one of the best ways to introduce and prepare your kid(s) for the finer things in life. No, really: Who can say they got their first Bentley at 8? 8 MONTHS? There you go!

But there is more to this tricycle stroller than the big name. Released to celebrate the marque’s 100th anniversary (which was actually in August 2019), the Centennial Bentley Stroller Trike is a collaboration between Bentley Motors and Posh Baby and Kids. It is inspired by the Continental GT and is described as “a 6-in1stroller that grows with your child”, from age 8 months to about 4 years old, when the child can pedal on their own or you can help him along with an optional parent control handle.

Best of all - it comes with a cup holder and storage basket. For the parent.

Available in multiple colours starting at C$595. www.bentleytrike.com

MONCLER GENIUS RIMOWA REFLECTION Moncler and RIMOWA have partnered on two prior collaborations in 2013 and 2016, and now, as part of the Moncler Genius initiative, the 120-year-old luggage imprint has conceived the cutting-edge “REFLECTION.” The suitcase sharpens its iconic aluminum exterior with an ultra-shiny mirrored surface, reminiscent of the lacquered effect found in Moncler’s down jackets. The main feature, however, is an LED screen, programmable through an app, which will display ticker-style messages. “A stylistic nod to the classic LED screens that have long led weary travellers to their correct gate when embarking on a journey to their next destination.” No word yet if and when these suitcases will hit the stores. www.moncler.com

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Groundhog Days How Life Has Changed During The Pandemic

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So, it would appear that toilet paper is the first thing that occupies an anxious mind when the end of the world is nigh. Worldwide, the supply chain first creaked and then broke in mid March, as the worried masses descended upon supermarkets the world over - with one thought racing through their concerned minds “should I get one pack of 24 rolls or four?”. And this previously unrecognised pre-occupation with the soft, cushioned comforts of home was not the only thing that we learnt about over the last few months. It seems that we all now have a bang-on idea how long 2 metres or 6 feet are. We have also taught ourselves to sew or otherwise improvise in order to create a home-fashioned face-covering; our cooking and baking skills now pretty much rival those of the celebrity chefs that grace our television screens – our barber-skills, on the other hand, still require some work; grown-ups stole their kids’ LEGO sets, and, maybe much to the dismay of some guys, we all know exactly how long 20 seconds lasts.

“Enjoy Our Park But Stay Apart” became and still is a familiar sign in our parks (left). Even the two proud lions, guarding the Lions Gate Bridge, at some point each ported a face mask. Very patriotic ones.

No, we don’t want to make fun of the root cause of this desperate situation. However, we thought after having experienced such an unrelenting and challenging assault on the routines of our daily lives for far too long, we owed it to you to put a smile on your face.

Streamed across more than 175 countries, Together At Home raised more than US$127 million

These last few weeks have been quite something. But here in Vancouver, and in BC in general, we have learned to adapt and make the most of a rather unprecedented situation. Yes, it has been, and still is, stressful and, whilst we have arrived at a new normal, we are still far removed from the lives we were living before the first cases appeared in the province. We have made the best of it, often without thinking too long about the choices we were forced to make. Do you remember when the first stores got boarded up? In just a few days, downtown Vancouver looked like a huge movie set for an apocalyptic blockbuster. Deserted streets, traffic almost completely absent, with the eerie silence only punctuated by the occasional ambulance or police siren. A different life was taking hold, a life with ...

Stronger Together/ Tous Ensemble was watched by almost 12 million viewers and raised over C$6 million in donations for Food Banks Canada

Music For Hope became the biggest ever classical live stream, with more than 28 million views from across the globe in its first 24 hours

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Empty Shelves & Line-Ups Uncertainty reined and no one had any inkling how long this situation would last, and consequently, how long the stores would remain open was a mystery. The result – panic buying. The herd mentality took hold and long line ups in front of grocery stores became commonplace. Once inside, the signs of desperation and self preservation “at all costs” precipitated the stripping of staple goods from the shelves. Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, pasta, bread, canned goods were all swept into shopping carts at gameshow speeds – some people must still have overstocked store cupboards at home. Whilst there was plenty of inventory at the top of the supply chain, even the smartest artificial intelligence software had no answer to the logistical challenges that were being posed to the stores and fulfilment depots, as ordering patterns changed overnight and the system took weeks to recover.

The 7pm Ceremony For many Vancouverites, the era defined by coronavirus brought a new ritual of solidarity – making as much noise as collectively possible every night at 7pm. Inspired by similar displays of appreciation for frontline workers in other countries, pockets of the West End and Kitsilano adopted the outpouring in March. It turned into a de rigour event, where neighbours came together whilst standing far apart at our windows, on our patios and balconies or in our front lawns. Rain or shine, we stood cheering, clapping, banging pots and pans, blowing trumpets and horns. Some resident DJs even moved their equipment outside to volunteer their beats to the pulsing movement. Not to be outdone, the Vancouver Park Board even joined in, signalling their desire to stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of us, bringing the firing of the iconic Stanley Park gun forward from 9pm to 7pm.

Zoom-Parties If you didn’t know about Zoom before, you found out rather quickly. The video-communication service saw a stratospheric rise in it’s stock market valuation, with millions of people being forced to work from home. Downloads of the app increased as fast as the R value in the worst hit countries, adding 200 million users in just 3 months. And outside of work hours, with people unable to visit friends and family and with no bars or nightclubs open, social isolation offered up a new twist: virtual dinner parties, events and nightclubs. It was fun, at least for a while but let’s hope we don’t have to rely on them again.

Netflix, Prime and the World Wide Web We all did it. Quaran-streaming. Movie theatres were closed, cultural events cancelled, sports postponed. Pretty much all live entertainment was put on hold. So what did we do? Yes, we turned to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and the likes. The demand for anything new was immense. Were we the only ones that binge-watched all Star Wars episodes when Disney made them available?

Then there was live-streaming. Millions watched Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli perform a solo Easter concert at an empty Duomo di Milano. Together At Home, an historic virtual concert series organized

by Global Citizen and singer Lady Gaga in support of the World Health Organization, presented a six hour special on April 18th, featuring dozens of artists from around the globe, each performing via livestream from their own homes. The Canadian version soon followed, with a star-studded Stronger Together/Tous Ensemble event on April 26th. And Call To Unite, a 24-hour livestream global relief event, brought together more than 200 celebrities, entrepreneurs and world leaders, including Oprah Winfrey and former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, in an attempt to inspire people to surge onward and overcome their personal challenges during the pandemic. Even the Pope, the Dalai Lama and Queen Elizabeth used online services to address their followers.

For weeks the downtown core of Vancouver looked like a sound stage for an apocalyptic movie. Empty streets, boarded up stores, no traffic and very few people roaming the streets.

The Vancouver Mural Festival then started the #MakeArtWhileApart project, transforming the storefronts and with it, the downtown area into a huge art gallery. Well done!

A Soft Reopening The word we all had been waiting for: “Reopening”. “We will reopen in phases,” we were told, and how great (and at the same time, utterly uncomfortable) it was to finally walk-back into a store. Well, we did have to wait in line or make an appointment. Put on a face mask, maybe gloves, answer a few questions and leave our name and phone number, but it was a first glimpse of normality and as we write these lines, we are only halfway through June.

Keeping our Fingers Crossed!

Well, actually, that’s not enough. Let’s enjoy what we have right now, and let’s hope that we will be through this soon. To get there, we need to remain cautious, considerate, compliant and keep following the remaining rules. We don’t want to slide back to where this started, do we?

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Presented by

STAY HOME MADE EASY

THE BEAUTY OF

BRITISH COLUMBIA ICONIC CONCIERGE

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“You don’t have to leave BC to experience the vacation of a lifetime!”

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The recommendation was, and is, to “Stay Home” ... and whilst we have always believed that there is no better place on the planet, we are quite content to stay at home! As we are slowly and carefully getting back to life as we have known it, and with Summer in full swing, there is so much that this province offers. From beaches to mountains, from rainforest to desert. British Columbia’s untamed nature speaks to the soul.

So follow us and explore the endless possibilities of our province, find the hidden gems and create memories that will last for a lifetime.

is where we live, where we get to call “home”. A paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering hiking and camping, rock climbing and mountaineering.

Endless opportunities for water sports and winter sports. Horseback riding, cross-country and mountain biking, golfing – you name it, we have it.

Luxury hotels, lodges, chalets, bed and breakfasts – whatever type of accommodation you are looking for, it is there. And honouring the new 2020 fashion, social distancing, there are numerous ways to travel and stay safe and your hosts will gladly answer all of your questions.

At almost a million square kilometres (944,735 to be exact), BC is the fifth largest province in Canada. 75% of it is mountainous; 60% is forested. Its picturesque, spectacular scenery with the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline that stretches for more than 27,000 kilometres, the deep, mountainous fjords and about 6,000 islands; in the winter, the mountains that offer some of the best skiing in the world, and in the summer, display some wonderful flora; and an Interior that offers one of the warmest and longest summer climates in Canada, are world renowned and popular with travellers, each and every year. This

Let’s explore British Columbia. Safely.

Vancouver Island & BC Islands Vancouver Island, the largest island on the West Coast of North America, enjoys the warmest yearround climate in Canada. Its rugged North Island region features a largely uninhabited wilderness of forests, countless lakes and even snow-capped peaks. The Central Island is a popular year-round holiday destination with its tranquil lakes, great fishing and hiking. The West Coast is famous for its never-ending beaches and unpredictable weather, from the most romantic sunset skies to fierce dark clouds and winter storms. The South Island, home to BC’s lively capital, Victoria and its bustling harbours, has the mildest climate in Canada and

is perfect for a visit year-round. There is a lot to see and experience on Vancouver Island, a picturesque ferry ride away from the mainland.

The BC Islands – too many to list.

From small to large, they offer miles of beaches, ancient forests, rocky shorelines and each exudes its unique character. Some have ferry service, others can only be accessed by boat or floatplane. Let the adventure begin!

Vancouver Coast & Mountains Let’s start with the Sunshine Coast.

This 180-km stretch from Desolation Sound to Howe Sound actually lives up to its name, especially when compared to Vancouver. The Sunshine Coast receives between 1,400 and 2,400 hours of sunshine annually, or 4 to 6 hours per day. The Coast is very popular for paddling, mountain biking, hiking, boating, and diving, or for the less adventurous, “an afternoon gallery hopping, exploring a farmers market, or relaxingon a secluded beach.”

Take the world-famous Sea-to-Sky highway up to Whistler and Pemberton. There is so much to see and experience: stop at the BC Museum of Mining in Britannia Beach, take an easy walk to the viewing platform near the roaring Shannon Falls, or head up the mountain with the Sea-to-Sky Gondola. And did you know that Porteau Cove Provincial Park provides great scuba diving, with over 100 marine species to be viewed?

Yes, Whistler has a reputation for being a world-class ski resort, but the cosmopolitan mountain village with its cluster of small lakes offers a lot year-round and accommodates every outdoor recreation known to man. Meanwhile, the recordbreaking 4.4 kilometres long Peak 2 Peak gondola, gliding 436 metres above the valley floor, gives some of the most amazing 360-degree views of the ancient peaks and glaciers.

Pemberton, a scenic 30-minute drive from Whistler, offers world-class golfing and some of the best outdoor activities in the province, from hiking, climbing, horseback riding to hanggliding, river rafting and canoeing.

Thompson Okanagan The Thompson-Okanagan region is a popular tourist destination with a sunny climate, beautiful landscapes and relaxed lifestyle. Famous as “Canada’s Wine Country” with well

over 300 licensed wineries, the Okanagan Valley has some of the best fruit and vegetable-growing soil in the world. Dozens of parks surround Okanagan Lake, a huge outdoor adventure playground that has something for everyone. No wonder it is one of the most desirable locales in the province for yearround outdoor fun.

The Shuswap, north of the Okanagan, with its vast lake system and more than 1,000 kilometres of shoreline to explore, boasts the largest houseboat fleet in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. Nothing better than drifting along the lake gazing at blue skies and gorgeous mountains.

Kootenay Rockies The region that comprises the Kootenays and BC Rockies, is dominated by majestic mountains and clear lakes. Some serious adventures await the visitor, with another postcard-worthy view just around the corner. It is truly heaven for the outdoor enthusiasts.

Cariboo, Chilcotin, Coast BC’s wild, wild West, the Cariboo region is known for vast landscapes with rolling hills, deeply incised rivers, and countless lakes. It has a rich history as a land born of dreams … dreams of discovery and instant riches. The Gold Rush. Today, you will find excellent accommodations, from luxury resorts to lakeside cabins, and great outdoor activities, from mountain biking, to whitewater rafting and fishing in the mountains.

Northern BC & Haida Gwaii Northern BC offers a unique wilderness experience with its deep fjords, dramatic canyons, dominating mountains, clear rivers and an abundance of wildlife.

Formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, Haida Gwaii offers one of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in the world. It is made up of about 150 islands with unusual and abundant flora and fauna and the marine and wildlife diversity of the surrounding waters and forests make it an ecological marvel.

For more information on all regions, visit www.BritishColumbia.com.

For tourism updates about COVID-19, please visit www.destinationbc.ca

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The Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa offers breathtaking ocean and mountain views

Enjoy an evening under the stars at one of the fire bowls (left). The Pacific Mist Spa features eight unique areas for experiencing hydrotherapy, the rejuvenating and healing powers of water with massage pools, waterfalls and a river walk to soak in.

KINGFISHER OCEANSIDE RESORT & SPA Courtenay, BC Nestled in a coastal forest on the eastern shore of Vancouver Island, the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa is a World Class resort right in our backyard. Named in the top “Best Spa Getaways in BC” and “Best Island Resort”, the Kingfisher is a hidden island gem offering breathtaking ocean and mountain views.

As you step into the courtyard you are transported into the resort’s newly landscaped Serenity gardens inspired by The Butchart Gardens. Meandering pathways through lush grounds with vibrant flowers complete with water features, streams and a rock bed pond await you. Adirondack chairs and fire bowls are perfectly set up for expanded social distancing complemented by live acoustic music throughout the Summer.

For the utmost relaxation, visit the resort’s The Pacific Mist Spa, featuring an underground sandstone sculpted cave with natural seaside elements and its signature Pacific Mist Hydropath service.

The incredible upscale culinary experience is another reason visitors are flocking to this oceanfront oasis, named “Best BC Seafood on Your Plate” for three consecutive years.

AQUA Bistro & Wine Bar features contemporary casual fare and signature cocktails and Ocean7 Restaurant maintains a fine dining atmosphere, with a focus on local and

sustainable West Coast seafood.

The Kingfisher is perfectly set-up for social distancing, making the health and safety of all guests their #1 priority. Direct outdoor entry into each suite, wellspaced seating indoors and outdoors and more.

Immune boosting and detoxification enhancers can be found both in the spa and the restaurants.

The Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa | 4330 Island Hwy South | Courtenay, BC | 1-800-663-7929 | www.kingfisherspa.com

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on nature's EDGE

LUXURY LODGING Memories of a Lifetime - Right on our Doorstep Beautiful British Columbia. A sheer abundance of natural wonders. From beaches to mountains, from rainforest to desert, BC has it all. In normal times, our fabulous province is a popular destination for travellers from all around the world, but right now, with international travel facing strict restrictions, the global tourist industry has disintegrated. Furthermore, we all have been asked to “stay home” too. But whilst our impending trips to the Caribbean, Europe and South America were cancelled weeks ago, we find ourselves in a rather fortunate position, in that we get to call BC “Home”!

So, please join us on the trip we always talked about taking but seemed to repeatedly postponed. A trip that will introduce us to some breathtaking places, perched on our doorstep, each giving us a unique glimpse into nature’s rich tapestry, while still enjoying 5-star service and luxury accommodation. Spellbinding surroundings, boundless views, and unforgettable encounters await. Myriad activities, including canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, whale watching, wilderness hiking and nature walks, expert-guided star gazing or simply swimming in crystal clear oceans and rivers, will gift memories for a lifetime.

We have travelled to some of the most intriguing countries, stayed at the most luxurious hotels and enjoyed the services at the most exclusive resorts in the world. However, now is the time to see how the jewels in British Columbia’s crown hold up against those from abroad..

The resorts will delight in serving up delicious farm-to-table culinary extravaganzas, excel in providing expert spa-treatments and pamper those who simply just want to spend some time relaxing on a peaceful patio.

This time, we decided to find the ultimate lodges and resorts. Many places whose remote locations present such exclusivity, offer unforgettable luxury experiences on the living, breathing edge of nature. Away from the hustle and bustle, the drone of cars is left far behind and replace for a few days by a delightful serenity. These hidden gems are the perfect places to while away glorious summer days and starry nights, ensuring you forget the cares of the outside world, and enjoy a relaxing getaway with exemplary service. These celebrated hosts are adept at prioritising the health and safety of their guests and catering to the needs and desires of every individual.

We love our cars, but this time, we decided to save some time and opted for the helicopter. Our friends at London Air Services, which provides customized private jet and helicopter charter services, had the luxurious AgustaWestland AW139 waiting for us.

With seating configurations for up to 15 passengers, we had more than ample room to stretch our legs on this adventure - and Robbie could even pick up some cases of wine. www.LondonAir.com

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NIMMO BAY RESORT Mackenzie Sound, BC This remote, family-owned wilderness resort in the Great Bear Rainforest is the ultimate place for those who want to ‘leave it all behind’ and experience a luxurious getaway on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, far from the everyday.

What awaits you is a bespoke wilderness, wildlife, culinary and wellness experience. The team at Nimmo Bay will work with you to create a customized all-inclusive itinerary, covering transportation, accommodation, dining and a range of activities.

EXPERIENCE THE WILD The adventure of a lifetime. Watch humpback and orca whales, see bear cubs learning to forage along the shoreline and explore an abundance of wilderness from land, sea and sky. Take a guided boat trip or book a customized helicopter adventure, offering access to remote rivers for catch and release fly fishing, glacier hiking and more.

TASTE THE COAST Forage for sea kelp with an inspired chef, dive for sea urchins and haul up fresh Dungeness crab. Or, simply kick back with an expertly selected vintage and take in the culinary excellence.

FEEL REVIVED Relax by the soothing rush of the on-site waterfall and the gifted hands of the wellness team. Meditate in a floating sauna before diving into the clarifying Pacific waters.

BOOK YOUR PRIVATE GETAWAY Nimmo Bay is available for exclusive resort book-outs, as well as regular 3, 4 and 7 night stays.

Nimmo Bay Resort | 100 Little Nimmo Bay Mackenzie Sound, BC | 1.800.837.4354 | www.nimmobay.com

SPIRIT RIDGE RESORT | Osoyoos, BC

SPIRIT RIDGE RESORT | 1200 Rancher Creek Road | Osoyoos, BC | 1.250.495.5445 | www.hyatt.com

Creating memories is made easy at Spirit Ridge Resort in Canada’s only desert. Part of the Unbound Collection at Hyatt, the luxurious condos, suites and villas, all equipped with full kitchens and balconies, offer stunning views of Anarchist Mountain or Osoyoos Lake.

2 pools, the Solterra Desert Spa, the Sonorra Golf Course, a fine-dining restaurant with a large view-patio, a private beach with a restaurant, horseback riding, wine tasting at NK’Mip Cellers, the Desert Cultural Centre and stargazing at night are just a few of the amenities that await you.

“With all senses engaged, amenities thoughtfully prepared, and an abundance of things to experience, Spirit Ridge allows you to enjoy and discover something extraordinary – yourself.”

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SIWASH LAKE WILDERNESS RESORT | Interior, BC Halfway along the Vancouver-Banff-Jasper loop—one of the most spectacular drives in the world—Siwash Lake luxury guest ranch is an ultra-private hideaway that offers boutique, high-end travel accommodations and eco-friendly wilderness adventures.

“Glamping at its finest”, this luxury wilderness lodge only hosts 12-16 people at a time to ensure an ultraprivate and exclusive guest experience. We highly recommend Star Camp, private luxury tents complete with your very own wood-fired cedar-soaker hot tub.

Star-gazing has never been better!

Reconnect amid 10,000 acres of raw wilderness and enjoy activities, educational in Nature, with private guides and tailormade itineraries to satisfy anyone’s wildest desire. 5-star horseback riding, whitewater river rafting, fly fishing, mountain biking, helicopter tours.

You name it, and the team at Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort makes it happen!

How about a private alfresco dinner overlooking the lake? The food and wine experience while dining offgrid in the wilds of BC will satisfy the most discerning foodie. An adventure of a lifetime - right on our doorstep.

Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort | 70 Mile House, BC | reservations@siwashlake.com | 1.250.395.6541 | www.siwashlake.com

ON THE COVER EMERALD LAKE LODGE | Field, BC Set on a 13-acre peninsula on Yoho National Park’s Emerald Lake, this upscale lodge is 13.4 km from the Canadian Rocky Mountains Parks World Heritage Site and 14.8 km from Mount Field.

The posh rooms and suites with private bathrooms feature private balconies with lake views, wood-burning fireplaces and coffeemakers, plus sitting areas. Suite amenities range from dining areas with fridges to whirlpool tubs.

A refined restaurant serves regional cuisine, and there’s a seasonal bistro. A stately lounge features a stone fireplace, plus an oak bar from an 1890s saloon. Other amenities include a game room and a hot tub, plus a fitness centre.

Emerald Lake Lodge | 1 Emerald Lake Rd | Field, BC 1.250.343.6321 | www.crmr.com

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ROCKWATER SECRET COVE RESORT | Halfmoon Bay, BC A winner of the “Best Wedding Reception Venue - Alternative Location”, Rockwater Secret Cove is a unique luxury resort on the Sunshine Coast and a perfect option for a getaway into the heart of nature. A spectacular waterfront setting overlooking Georgia Strait, the luxury Tenthouses Suites offer private verandas, king-size beds and a hydro-therapy tub with a view. Add a rain forest shower, propane fireplace and radiant floor heating and this is glamping per excellence.

The Woodland Cabins, ideal for couples and small groups, offer ocean

views and privacy with all resort services just a phone call or steps away.

The Resort also offers Ocean View Suites inside the main Lodge. With 640 sq.ft. they include living and dining areas and one or two-bedroom configurations.

In the summer and early fall, guests can enjoy a massage in the Seabreeze Spa, located in tents on a bluff overlooking the ocean, while during the colder months a cabin with heated floors and fireplace is used.

Rockwater Secret Cove Resort | 5356 Ole’s Cove Road | Halfmoon Bay, BC | 1-877.296.4593 | www.rockwatersecretcoveresort.com

We welcome our local community back for Unparalleled

W I N E • F OO D • E X P E R I E N C E S

50thparallel.com | 250-766-3408

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| Open Year-Round

|

ADVENTURES POWERED

Photographer: @miraecampbell

BY

Carbon Neutral tourism flights since 2017

blackcombhelicopters

P L E A S E N O T E , W E A R E O P E N F O R P R I VAT E B O O K I N G S D U R I N G T H E C OV I D -1 9 PA N D E M I C

Luxury Escape WORK HARD. PLAY HARD. REST WELL. Surrounded by 3.5 million Swarovski crystals, indulge in the best of farm-to-table fine dining and experience the breathtaking lake and mountain views from Sparkling Hill Resort. Located atop Mount Royce in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, this luxury resort and wellness spa offers over 100 unique treatments and clinic services in Canada’s largest spa.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN WELLNESS Explore the exclusive 40,000 sq. ft. KurSpa and discover the expansive vistas from the outdoor infinity pool.

Choose your favourite of the 7 unique themed steam rooms and saunas before experiencing ultimate serenity in the relaxation rooms. Tranquility never looked so good.

Indulge in a Getaway to Remember Call us at 1-877-275-1556 to book your luxury escape.

www.sparklinghill.com

THE SHORES OF THIS GREAT OCEAN

BOATING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA watching. From the marine life, including whales, seals, and otters, to grizzly and black bears, eagles and moose. Make sure you have your camera ready!

Fishing British Columbia has some of the best fishing waters in the world.

Fishing pressure is low in the archipelagos and remoter coasts where Chinook and other salmon thrive, along with Pacific halibut, rockfish and lingcod. Imagine the taste of halibut hauled right out of the water!

Now that we have introduced you to some amazing resorts and lodges in BC - how about exploring it from the water? The British Columbia coast offers the boater an experience like no other coast in the world. From towering mountains, plunging waterfalls, and sheltered bays, the majestic, untamed nature will take your breath away.

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A Cultural Experience The coast of British Columbia is home to several First Nations bands.

Aboriginal hospitality will be a highlight of your travels. Guests may be invited to experience their cultures and learn about the natural world. Please consult the guide for Travel in First Nations Traditional Territories before planning your experience of Aboriginal culture.

Regardless if you pick a sailing or cruising route in the warm, hospitable Salish Sea with its myriad islands, fjords and channels, or the open coasts of Vancouver Island West and Haida Gwaii, you are about to experience the time of your life.

So weigh the anchor and enjoy. And for those without a boat - and even for those with one: taking an adventure tour with a licensed operator is the best way to see the hidden, magical, wild parts of the BC coast. Operators offer different levels of comfort, but all deliver unforgettable, learning experiences.

Wildlife Viewing at its best British Columbia has some of the best coastal marine parks and protected areas in the world, guaranteeing unparalleled wildlife

For more information about boating in Canada’s western seas, including important facts about marinas and harbours, guided tours and more, please visit: www.ahoybc.com

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CONSTRUCTION BOOM Brick for Brick: Real Men Build LEGO

Who would have guessed that the same colourful building bricks that we all grew up with would be so popular in an age of tablets, game consoles and wi-fi enabled cuddle toys? And how grateful were we all that we had something fun to play with whilst we followed the “Stay Home” advice of the past few weeks? Whilst finding distraction in reading books, learning new languages and renovating, building Lego models almost became a competition. The moment we posted a picture of our newest LEGO project on social media, people commented and replied with posts of their own models. No, it isn’t embarrassing to be in your mid-40s or 50s and put colourful plastic bricks together – it is actually cool!

And you are in great company: Soccer legend David Beckham, singer Britney Spears, Mr Guardians of the Galaxy, Chris Pratt and Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, are just a few LEGOloving celebs.

So how did it all begin? Surprisingly, LEGO started as a wooden toy. Ole Kirk Christiansen, a carpenter in the small town of Billund, Denmark (and still the home of the LEGO Group headquarters), became a toymaker in 1934, making toy-sized furniture. He called his small company LEGO, a squished version of “Leg Godt”, Danish for “Play Well!”.

You don’t need a license to build James Bond’s iconic 1964 Aston Martin DB5. It comes loaded with functioning gadgetry, including an ejector seat.

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The newest addition to the LEGO Technic supercar-line: The Lamborghini 2020 Sián FKP 37 is a 3,696-piece, 1:8 scale model that embodies the beauty and power of the hybrid super sports car. It boasts scissor doors, which open to reveal the intricately recreated cockpit, with a fully-functioning eight-speed sequential gearbox controlled by a movable paddle gearshift.

It wasn’t until after World War II that Lego started making plastic bricks. And to set themselves apart from other plastic bricks in the market, they decided to use a colour scheme inspired by Dutch painter Mondrian. In 1958, the LEGO brick as we know it, was patented.

But how could this company survive in modern times? Some may think that it was a little movie franchise called Star Wars that came to the rescue when the toymaker almost went bankrupt. LEGO got the license to market Star Wars sets, an instant success, and other licenses followed, including Batman, Marvel, and Harry Potter. Still, by 2003, four years after the Star Wars models were introduced, LEGO was almost $1bn in debt. It was under the leadership of a young Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, who had joined the LEGO Group in 2001 and became their president in 2004 at age 36, that the company thrived again. He rebuilt it, brick by brick, and encouraged interaction with LEGO’s fans using the internet.

Each and every year another milestone was set. In 2011, Space Shuttle Endeavour brought 13 Lego kits to the International Space Station. Astronauts built the models to see how they would react in microgravity. The LEGO marketing department even started creating TV shows and a variety of films like The Lego Movie, which debuted in 2014. The Lego Batman Movie outperformed DC’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Business was booming, resulting in a 600% increase in turnover from 6.3 billion to 37.9 billion in 2016.

From 2008 to 2010 its profit outstripped Apple’s and in 2015, the still privately owned and family controlled company replaced Ferrari as the world’s most powerful brand.

Today, the colourful bricks are more popular than ever, making LEGO one of the largest toy companies in the world, valued at around US$15 billion.

If you are looking for something to build on a rainy day, you can create almost anything, from a small car with less than 50 pieces to a replica of the International Space Station with almost 900 pieces or the record-breaking Millennium Falcon with 7,541 pieces.

The LEGO Star Wars Helmet Collection. Supporters of the Empire can choose to build any or all of the following helmets: Boba Fett, Stormtrooper or a TIE fighter pilot helmet. The 7”8” high helmets come with a base and nameplate.

In 2018, LEGO presented a driveable lifesize model of the Bugatti Chiron. Power comes from 2,304 Lego Technic motors, which produce 5.3 horsepower and propel the car, which was built in 13,438 documented hours using more than one million bricks, to a top-speed of 20 km/h.

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Brian Jessel BMW 2311 Boundary Rd Vancouver, BC (604) 222-7788

OPEN-AIR SEASON The 2020 BMW M850i xDrive Cabriolet British Columbia is an amazing place for the automotive enthusiast. No other place in the world offers winding coastal roads with some of the most breathtaking views of the glistening ocean, driving by gushing waterfalls and lush green forests, with some mighty peaks and brilliant white glaciers as a backdrop. The same day, you can be in Canada’s only desert, visit wineries, or take a ferry with a good chance of seeing whales, sea lions and Bald Eagles. And nothing is better than experiencing it from behind the steering wheel of a sporty yet luxurious convertible. Wait - something is better! How about the very same convertible offers room for the family or friends, and is impeccable even in the winter thanks to an all-wheel drive system? Welcome to the BMW M850i xDrive Cabriolet.

After a 2-decade absence, BMW revived the 8-Series in late 2018, starting with the M850i coupe. Several other models were added to the lineup in 2019, which now includes coupes and convertibles, the M8, M8 Competition, as well as a full-size four-door Gran Coupe sedan. We already had the chance to experience the hardtop version and couldn’t wait to finally take the convertible for a spin.

The BMW design team managed to keep the flowing lines of the coupe, albeit with an electrically retractable soft-top. You will immediately notice the superb acoustic insulation of the multi-layered roof, which opens and closes in just 15 seconds.

It can be activated with the car travelling at up to 50 km/h.

However, the magic starts when the top disappears under its cover with the two subtle domes, reminiscent of classical sports cars. BMW’s new twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 starts on the push of a button, reaching 100 km/h in less than 4 seconds.

The power, fed via an eight-speed Steptronic transmission, is managed by BMW’s xDrive system, while multiple drive modes are onboard to help tweak the throttle response, transmission settings, steering settings, and suspension settings.

The 8 Series Convertible’s interior design is more or less identical to that of the standard 8 Series Coupe. High-end materials pervade throughout, such as Merino leather, metal inlays,

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and aluminum trim. Contrast stitching adds extra visual goodness to the supportive sport seats, which, when ordered with the Executive Package, have an integrated neck warmer and cooled or heated ventilation. Add the heated steering wheel, and you can put the top down and enjoy your convertible even in colder weather.

The BMW M850i xDrive Convertible comes with several additional visual accents and can be further individualized to the customer’s desire. Call Brian Jessel BMW to schedule your test drive.

2020 BMW M850i xDrive Cabriolet 4,395cc V8 engine | eight-speed Steptronic transmission | Performance: 390 kW/530 hp at 5,500 – 6,000 rpm, max. torque: 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) at 1,800 – 4,600 rpm | Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h: 3.9 seconds | top speed: 250 km/h Fuel consumption combined: 10.0 – 9.9 l/100 km Price: From $135,399.26

Welcome home! The luxurious cabin of the M850i balances a mix of metals and BMW’s Individual Merino Leather upholstery. Replacing analog gauges, the BMW Live Cockpit Professional comes with a 12.3-inch display and a 10.3-inch touchscreen in the driver-oriented dash. The standard 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system can be upgraded to a mighty 1,400-watt Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound system, entertaining both the front and rear-seat passengers. The Executive Package includes the Air Collar, ventilated seats and the stylish Glass Controls for the gear selector.

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Well, it wasn’t Q who phoned us, but when we got a call from Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division we couldn’t help but feel a little bit like our favourite gentleman spy. In fact, it was SVO who created the bright orange C-X75 concept for Spectre.

In case you haven’t heard of SVO yet: At Special Vehicle Operations’ 20,000-square-metre state-of-the-art facility a passionate team pushes the boundaries of performance,

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luxury and capability. Here, limited run collectors’ editions and high-specification vehicles are created and offered with bespoke personalization with a wide range of interior trim, leather and paint options, meeting and exceeding the expectations of even the most discerning customer.

SVO asked us to drive their fraternal twins, the Jaguar FPace SVR and the Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition (and yes, that is the full name). They both share the same core mechanical package and the same supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 engine, yet they are very differ-

GOING HEAD2HEAD WITH THE RANGE ROVER VELAR SVAUTOBIOGRAPHY AND THE JAGUAR F-PACE SVR

photography: Kevin Uy

ent. The SVR was created with speed and dynamic in mind, while the Velar amplifies comfort and style.

By the way - Ford, which has been building this engine since 1996, will be closing the factory in September 2020. Who knows, maybe these twins will become a collector’s edition?

So, which is our favourite ‘Special Ops’ car? Robbie and Olaf accepted the invite and went Head2Head with the twins.

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JAGUAR F-PACE SVR

RANGE ROVER VELAR SVAUTOBIOGRAPHY DYNAMIC EDITION

So I picked the ‘Jag.’ Of course, I did. I knew Lord Robbie would prefer the sofa-cushioned Range Rover for when he drives to his estate in the countryside. No, sir. That’s not for me. If I have to pick an SUV I want the best of both worlds, and that is exactly what the SVR offers. In one striking package.

I mean, just look at it! This is how a proper Jag needs to look! 21- or the optional 22-inch wheels, hood vents, side vents, big air intakes up front and rear diffusers, framed by four 95-mm exhaust tips. And that is only the outside - the interior is even better. Sports seats that you would expect in a German or Italian sportscar, tailored in the finest Windsor leather and combined with some great carbon fibre trim.

The pistol-type electronic shifter looks and feels great, and there are aluminum paddle shifters to get you through the eight speed automatic. As for your electronic toys – not a problem, the SVR comes as standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as 4G WiFi for up to eight devices.

Look up and thanks to the huge sliding panoramic roof only the sky is the limit. And then you press the START button ...

Adrenaline, here you come! Zero to a hundred is done in little more than 4 seconds and framed by some great crackles and pops from the exhaust, you can reach a top speed of 283 km/h. All of that with your whole family in tow (ok, in that case maybe don’t go too wild...) or the new big-screen TV and monster-loudspeakers for your man-cave in the trunk.

Now we are talking! Plus – starting at C$92,000 the SVR actually safes you almost $7,000 compared to the Velar.

And as we know, Robbie does not like saving ...

There you go. That’s why I say the Jaguar is the better Special Ops SUV. I win.

Engine: Supercharged 5.0L DOHC V8 | Power: 550 hp @ 6,500 rpm; 502 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500 rpm | Transmission: Eight-speed automatic. | 0-100km/h: 4.3s | Top Speed: 283km/h |Fuel Economy: 14.5 city/ 11.0 hwy

I picked the car with a name so long that you have to walk a full lap around it just to read it, which turns out to be a good thing because boy is this car a looker. Hence why it won the 2019 World Car Design of the Year (World Car Awards) and the even more prestigious MotorTrend SUV of the year 2019 title. Oh, right - 2020 Car of the Year (WhatCar.com), too. A winner.

If you are wondering what it is about this car that makes it look so good, well let me burst your “Car design 101” cherry bubble for you. Concept car designers like to draw certain features in their design knowing they will never see the light of day, knowing it is these tricks of the trade that make the designs look awesome, and make you click that “like” button. There are many of these tricks but one is to draw an ultra low roof line. This makes any car look super awesome, but in reality it’s just never a practical design feature. But for this car, designer Massimo Frascella was adamant that the roof line would stay. As a result the Velar has the lowest roof line in the brand’s history. Kudos to Land Rover for actually producing this design and screw you, click bait.

You love the exterior? Just wait until you step off your tongue and get in the car. No need to worry about the drool, those 20 way heated and cooled massage seats are made from Windsor leather. 20 ways! just think about that, I bet you cannot even dream up 20 ways in which you wants to adjust the seats.

So if I didn’t win this one by now I could just mention that this is the fastest Land Rover ever made, utilizing a Supercharged V-8 producing 550-HP, 0-100 in 4.5 seconds which must be way faster than the F-pace as I beat Olaf several times on the track ... but he also doesn’t know how to drive.

Anyway - the winner is ... the Velar. And myself, as per usual.

Engine: Supercharged 5.0L DOHC V8 | Power: 550 hp @ 6,500 rpm; 502 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500 rpm | Transmission: Eight-speed automatic. | 0-100km/h: 4.5s | Top Speed: 274km/h | Fuel Economy: 15.2 city/ 11.5 hwy

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MONTECRISTO montecristo1978.com CHATEAU D’IVOIRE Montréal - 514.845.4651 www.chateaudivoire.com CLASSIC CREATIONS Toronto - 416.222.0405 www.classiccreations.com LA MINE D’OR Moncton, NB - 506.857.1980 www.laminedor.ca

RECTANGLE

Titanium grade 5 with black DLC treatment, bridges and plate in 18kt gold, hand wind, limited to 188 pieces www.corum-watches.com

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FRESH FROM THE PRINTER! CZINGER 21C. THE WORLD’S FIRST 3D PRINTED HYPERCAR No, the Czinger 21C isn’t just another boutique hypercar. It demonstrates a whole new way of building cars. Designed and enviosened by founder Kevin Czinger and David O’Connell, developed and built in Los Angeles, California, the 21C not only launches the new brand Czinger Vehicles, it is also - in large sections - 3D printed. We were to see the Czinger in March at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show but yes, that one got cancelled, too.

Inspired by the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft, the all-wheel drive Czinger 21C has an iconic design, with jet-fighter seating, placing the driver in the middle of the vehicle, with a passenger behind, to create ultimate weight distribution and connection to the road.

Adding to the jet-fighter looks is the C21’s power. The “rule-breaking, record-hunting” hypercar reaches 100 km/h in some mind-boggling 1.9 seconds. The quarter mile is reached in 8.1 seconds, en route to a top speed of 432 km/h (or 268 mph).

One part of the hybrid powertrain is an in-house developed 2.88-liter twin-turbo V8. Achieving a true 1:1 power to weight ratio, it “delivers the most specific power of any current production engine.” The other part are two high output advanced axial flux motors producing up to 370 Nm and 150 kW of peak torque and power, each powering a front wheel with torque vectoring.

The total output is 1250 hp (1233 bhp), redlining at 11,000 rpm. Paired with a generous use of carbon fiber and other lightweight materials, the Czinger 21C only weighs 1,250 kilograms.

This engine is paired with a seven-speed sequential transaxle gearbox with a hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch to complete the entire drivetrain, which is also fully designed, developed and built by Czinger. It is available in two configurations; full race dog gears for fastest possible shift times and a more street optimized synchromesh configuration for smoother everyday shifting.

The C21 was ultimately reveiled at an exclusive London, UK, event, where CEO and Founder Kevin Czinger addressed attendees in person and via live stream. The Czinger 21C is limited to 80 vehicles.

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The Need Need The for Speed Speed for VANCOUVER’S RELENTLESS MOTORSPORTS F3 AMERICAS TEAM

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d

Did you know that we have our own Formula3 team? No, not as in “Iconic Concierge” - but a Canadian team established by two Canadian Entrepreneurs, Colin Colpitts and Ewen Dobbie who share a similar passion for competitive motorsports.

Based in British Columbia, Relentless Motorsports, will be the first Canadian owned and operated team to compete in the FR Americas Championship. They are launching their inaugural FR Americas season with two new Honda powered F3 cars.

The team has held multiple testing sessions in British Columbia, California and Arizona in order to get prepared for the season. As the team waits for a soft loosening of the Covid-19 restrictions and their season to begin, we took the opportunity to hop on a video-conference with drivers Mitch Egner (ME), Andrew Dobbie (AD) and one of the Team Owners, Colin Colpitts (CC). Iconic Concierge is proud to be a partner in this endeavour.

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IC: How did the idea of a racing team start? And who initiated it?

ME: It started a few years back when Colin bought an F1000 at Area27 Motorsports Club in the Okanagan. That started the relationship between Colin and myself. From there I helped him run the car and work on it and he let me drive it on the track. So in a way, it started off as some fun track days. The conversation about other Formula cars came up and after some chats with people in the industry and my goals of having a career in racing formula cars, Colin ordered a new F3 car from Ligier North America.

IC: So the owners are ...

CC: ... myself and Ewen Dobbie. We have a small but highly experienced crew which consists of Nicholas Belling, our lead engineer and owner of XLR8 Racing Developments. Nicholas has many years of formula car experience including driving and engineering with top-level teams in North America and abroad.

He has worked very closely with Mitch over the last 4 years and has been the lead engineer for Andrew for the past two years.

Next is Dave Caswell, who has worked in the Road to Indy program and many high-level formula car teams.

Jordan Evans is the lead technician on Mitch’s car – he has been helping Mitch in motorsports for the last 14 years, since mini stock days at Western Speedway. Trevor Scotten is the lead mechanic on Andrew’s car, with Sam Gerolf, who comes with a performance karting background, assisting.

Long time childhood friend of mine, David Benjamin also joins the team as our truck driver and ‘go-to guy’ for everything truck and trailer related and helping with car mechanics whenever required.

IC: You mentioned the drivers, Mitch Egner and Andrew Dobbie.

ME: Yes. I have been racing for 20 years. From Go-Karts, to circle track ministocks at 14, WILROC series winged sprint cars at Western Speedway on Vancouver Island before transitioning to Formula cars in 2016 which included a race win and a track record in my first novice race. From there, I set multiple track records across the US and won multiple championships including the Pacific F2000 Pro championship which earned me a spot in the Mazda Road to Indy shootout.

AD: I started racing competitively in 2017 in Formula 1600 here in BC, winning the Rookie of the Year for the SCCBC and CACC, which really solidified my decision to continue to follow my racing passion. From there I started travelling to the US to compete in higher profile races, and in 2019 I moved to

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the F2000 class where I met Mitch and Nicholas. We teamed up for a successful 2019 season winning the SCCBC, CACC and Zetec class of the Northwest FC Series. I also managed to travel to the US for four FRP Pro F2000 races and made the podium for each race.

My Dad, Ewen, has supported my racing from day one and came onboard to became a co-owner in Relentless Motorsports with Colin to race in FR Americas (F3) IC: That is quite an undertaking ...

CC: No doubt. It was a huge marketing play for us being the first Canadian owned F3 team with all Canadian drivers. We believe we are also filling a big gap that exists in Canadian racing, and hope that we can build a program that can help other Canadian drivers succeed in the future.

IC: Money rules the world. Who are your sponsors?

AD: Yes, and we have some amazing sponsors supporting this endeavour: of course, Colin’s Real Estate Company, Colpitts Real Estate, and Ewen’s Dowco Group of Companies, but also Wrap Holic/Studio3LC, Madison Street Capital, CUDO Collaborative, Worth a Squirt Hot Sauce, DS Tactical, Greater Vancouver Powersports, Trading Post Brewing, MK Technologies, Hermont Group, Taylor Law, The Chive ... and Iconic Concierge Magazine.

IC: Yes, and we are very excited to be part of this. It is the second time we see our logo on a Formula car. The first time was on a Formula E car ... even if only for a few minutes.

Maybe tell us a bit about the Racing Series in general?

CC: The FR Americas Championship is the FIA accredited Formula 3 series held in North America. Already recognized in other parts of the world for its immense speed and agility, the F3 car was brought to North America in 2017 by the new owners of Formula 1 (Liberty Media), in an effort to expand their presence in this market. Essentially, FR Americas is a regional series aimed at developing career-minded drivers on the path to Formula 2 or Formula 1. Prior to 2017, there was only Formula 4 in the US, which meant drivers had to go to other parts of the world to compete in any sort of F3 Racing.

Honda provides a full scholarship to the winner of the series to compete in Indy Lights the following season. Indy Lights is the final step on the Road to Indy before reaching IndyCar. Winning in FR Americas will also open the doors to European F3 and other potential F2 teams.

IC: Unfortunately, due to the Covid19 crisis, this Racing Series is obviously affected as well. When do you hope the actual races can start?

ME: We are hopeful that the June event at Circuit of the Americas is rescheduled, but we predict our first event will be July 17 at Virginia International Raceway.

IC: Thank you - we can’t wait to watch the first race.

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ROGER DUBUIS Excalibur Diabolus In Machina

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From a very early stage IWC focused on the production of technically advanced watches, designed especially for aviation, and the company is a real pioneer in this field. The progress made in flying and navigation had created a growing need for equipment which offered maximum reliability under tough conditions

WATCHES & WONDERS

Watches & Wonders Geneva, formerly known as Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), is a trade show of the international watch and jewelry industry. It is organized by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) and takes place at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland. It is considered as one of the major shows for luxury watches along with Baselworld and was scheduled for 25-29 April 2020 but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie launched a virtual show in its place, featuring 30 of the world’s leading fine watch brands.

“This platform will provide dynamic opportunities for interaction, education and inspiration, while showcasing the heritage, values and ambitions of the brands it represents,” states Fabienne Lupo, Chairwoman and Managing Director of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the finest watchmaking brands in the world to bring the Watches & Wonders concept to life online at a time when our industry needs it the most.”

The new watchesandwonders.com platform went online on April 25th at 12:00pm CET, welcoming retailers and journalists from around the world to experience the fine watchmaking universe, as well as the newest watches of the year and connect directly

with the 30 participating brands. The site featured dedicated pages for each brand, where visitors had the opportunity to discover their respective universes, including the newest timepieces for 2020, and a direct connection to the brands’ own sites and channels. For the opening day of watchesandwonders.com, the FHH is organized a series of new product launch presentations where executives from participating brands showcased their novelties through 10-minute streaming videos. These videos are now permanently accessible on the site.

Designed to remain a key destination for watch enthusiasts and the industry overall, the platform was continued at the end of April, and will get updated with new content over the longer term with additional product launches, along with strategic e-commerce partnerships. It will enhance the platform’s appeal for watch lovers, and bring further value to participating brands.

Part of a new ‘global ecosystem’ created by the FHH to fulfil the needs of its watch brands, watchesandwonders.com is meant to become a permanent flagship of fine watchmaking excellence alongside several physical events, among which will be Watches & Wonders Geneva in April 2021.

www.WatchesAndWonders.com

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REBELLION

WEAP-ONE ASYMMETRICAL FLYING TOURBILLON Rebellion continues its quest for performance and takes us off the beaten track with an evolution of the WeapOne unveiled in 2017. The WEAP-ONE Diamond Asymmetrical Flying Tourbillon explores a new dimension.

Two wheel-nut crowns close its atypical cylinder-shaped case. In titanium on the original model, here they are machined from sapphire crystal. The one on the right allows the movement to be wound; the one on the left allows the time to be set. The hours and minutes are displayed using two rollers also machined from sapphire crystal and positioned on the ends of the case.

Between the time information, an asymmetrical flying tourbillon with a rotation speed of 60 seconds evolves on several axes. 529 components make the manual movement, which has a power reserve of 50 hours.

Limited edition: 10.

Price upon request.

CARTIER

PRIVÉ TANK ASYMETRIQUE SKELETON Since 2015, Cartier Privé has been releasing variations in limited and numbered series.

Following the Crash, Tank Cintrée and Tonneau watches is the Tank Asymétrique. When it first appeared in 1936, the Tank Asymétrique watch – also known at the time as the Parallélogramme or Losange – marked a break with tradition. Unlike any other watch, it questioned the established order of things, with everything on the dial shifted 30 degrees to the right. The rectangle of the original Tank became a diamond, with the 12 placed in the upper right-hand corner of the case and the 6 opposite.

On the Tank Asymétrique skeleton watch (pictured), the 9623 MC skeleton movement appears at the centre of a bare structure, punctuated by the 12 and the 6. The watch comes in pink gold on a brown or grey strap, in platinum on a blue or black strap, and in a gem-set platinum version on a black or glossy blue strap. Limited to 100 numbered pieces for each aesthetic. CHF60,500 Swiss francs (pink gold); CHF 68,500 Swiss francs (platinum); CHF 96,000 (diamond-set).

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VACHERON CONSTANTIN

OVERSEAS QP SKELETON

The Overseas collection is enriching its range with a new ultra-thin 4.05mm openworked movement (Calibre 1120 QPSQ) that houses a perpetual calendar, giving the timepiece a contemporary and horologically sophisticated look.

Available in an 18K 5N all-gold version, the 41.5 mm-diameter Overseas Perpetual Calendar will not require any intervention until March 1, 2100, neither for its calendar indications nor for the moon phases.

The transparent caseback shows the gear trains and the NAC-treated oscillating weight with its segment in 22K gold. The weight is open-worked for the first time in the Overseas collection so as to highlight its stylised design, shaped like a Maltese cross.

USD115,000.

MB&F

HOROLOGICAL MACHINE N°10 AKA HM10 ‘BULLDOG’ A rounded, compact body of titanium or red gold, coupled with a generous ration of sapphire crystal. Two prominent aluminium time-display “eyes”, rolling at anyone who dares look its way. A collar studded with projections that allow you to wind the mainspring or set the time. Stout but flexible “legs” that wrap firmly around your wrist. A big heart beating steadily at 2.5Hz (18,000vph). And a massive jaw that opens and shuts, showing you how much power your canine friend has in store: fully closed tells you that he’s wound down and ready for a nap. If you can clearly see the rows of shining teeth, get ready, because Bulldog is full of energy. The manual-winding engine of HM10 was designed and developed in-house. Bespoke flying 14mm balance wheel with four traditional regulating screws floating above the domed dials. 301 components/ 45h power reserve.

Titanium: USD105,000.

18k red-gold: USD120,000.

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GRAHAM

CHRONOFIGHTER VINTAGE - EMERGENCY GOLD “BREAK GLASS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY!” The last thing you want to do is to smash your precious watch.

Not so in case of the Graham Chronofighter Vintage - Emergency Gold. It gets delivered with a little hammer to break the glass! The reason is the 1g gold bullion, set at 9 o’clock. So if you ever run out of cash ... just smash your watch!

Graham, based out of La Chaux-de-Fonds, the watchmaking capital of Switzerland, have been very creative with their last models. From a “Swiss Edition” with a cow’s horn dial and brown and white cowhide strap, to the Chronofighter Node Art models, featuring nostalgic Pinups found on military planes in the 1940s, they have received a lot of attention in the watch world.

The Chronofighter Vintage - Emergency Gold comes with the G1747 automatic chronograph movement with a power reserve of 48 hours. The 44mm steel case features the patented fastaction start/stop trigger and reset pusher and has a see-through sapphire crystal case back imprinted with a certificate number and the limited edition serial number. The ‘Emergency Gold’ is limited to 50 pieces. The price? It won’t break the bank: USD7,950.

LAURENT FERRIER

GRAND SPORT TOURBILLON

Laurent Ferrier is widely known for creating classical watches imbued with traditional watchmaking crafts and mechanical excellence. Now, the esteemed Genevan atelier has crafted a new contemporary watch, the Grand Sport Tourbillon, which upholds the company’s no-compromise approach to watchmaking.

In 2010, Laurent Ferrier won the ‘Best Men’s Watch Award’ at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix (GPHG) for its Classic Tourbillon with a hand-wound movement featuring a tourbillon and a double balance spring. The new Grand Sport Tourbillon is endowed with the same movement with an 80 hour power reserve, albeit presented in a contemporary finish. Limited to12 pieces. USD185,000.

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HUBLOT

BIG BANG ONE CLICK MARC FERRERO For its second artistic collaboration with the master of Storytelling Art, Hublot invites ‘Lipstick’, Marc Ferrero’s most emblematic work, back onto the dial of its Big Bang One Click 39mm.

In white or black, symbolising inseparable complementarity, it “illustrates the universal duality of day and night. An essential white that is subtle/minimalist, seductive without being a seducer. A deep black that is audacious and magnetic. Two watches to remind us that the day without the night is not a day, and that the night without the day is not a night.”

HUB1710 self-winding movement. 50 hours power reserve. Limited to 100 pieces each.

USD 18,300 (White) | USD 19,400 (Black).

HUBLOT Vancouver Boutique

Big Bubble Magical 52 ‘Golf Ball’ Movement: CO 390 - Automatic Power Reserve: 65 hours Case: Titanium Limited Edition ICONIC CONCIERGE

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PIAGET

ALTIPLANO ULTIMATE CONCEPT Ladies and Gentlemen: The World’s Thinnest Mechanical Watch is no longer just an ambitious experiment, but a fully developed and tested watch that is now available for watch lovers and collectors to buy, own and use!

Piaget stole the show at the 2018 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie with the unveiling of the Altiplano Ultimate Concept - the thinnest mechanical watch in the world. Measuring a gossamer 2mm, the Altiplano Ultimate Concept served as a stage for numerous Piaget innovations, including a case that formed part of the movement, a unique, integrated winding crown, an ultrathin crystal and, more importantly, new constructions for the barrel and energy regulation.

Thanks to this evolution, the power reserve of the Altiplano Ultimate Concept extended to more than 40 hours, a benchmark in the canon of ultra-thin watches.

The Altiplano Ultimate Concept is extensively customisable to the requirements of individual owners. It can be created in more than 10,000 permutations, thus ensuring that few will be alike and most will be truly unique.

Starting at CHF 410,000/ ~USD 430,500.

PANERAI

SUBMERSIBLE ECOPANGAEA TOURBILLON GMT 50MM MIKE HORN EDITION “Designed to be a tool for daring pioneers,” only five lucky (and rather wealthy) pioneers will have the chance to explore an adrenaline fueled, exclusive expedition to the Arctic under the supervision of Mike Horn himself - wearing their brand-new ECOPANGAEA TOURBILLON GMT 50 MM MIKE HORN EDITION. A journey which is “both an opportunity to test your physical limits and witness the imperiled state of our ecosystem.”

Composed of recycled metal from the 35-meter drive shaft of the Pangea, Mike Horn’s sailing ship, the material for this watch has been purified, perfected and finally shaped into the first watch in the collection equipped with a tourbillon.

Distinguished by a unidirectional rotating bezel with polished indexes on a sandblasted base, “Arctic” blue functional details and an engraved porthole case back, the generously proportioned 50 mm case features an amplified size to house a soft iron ring that protects the skeletonized titanium hand-wound caliber P.2005/T movement from the negative influence of magnetic fields.

Water-resistant up to 30 bar (~ 300 meters deep) and with a 6-day power reserve, the watch comes with a black rubber strap and a second strap - also in black, with anthracite stitching and a Velcro closure - made of recycled PET material. €190,000/ appr. USD 189,000 (incl. the expedition to the Arctic).

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CORUM LAB 02

“A perfect example of aesthetic perfection and extraordinary craftsmanship,” the Corum LAB02 is defying all watchmaking convention. It boasts a highly complicated manual new movement that was two years in the research and development stages. The caliber CO 300 consists of an impressive 416 individual components, each meticulously skeletonized and finely finished. Each piece is hand assembled in a unique format with a flying tourbillon at 6:00, with flying wheels that track the hours, minutes and seconds, and with the bridge set directly onto the mainplate. The entire movement is placed on a fully transparent sapphire plate that allows for magnificent visibility and gives the appearance that the elements are all floating in space. LAB 02 is further equipped with a grand date function at 4:00 and its power reserve indicator (55 hours) is unusually placed so that it is visible via a sapphire glass on the side of the case at 8:00. The starting price of the watch, in gold, without diamonds, is CHF 180,000 (appr. USD 190,000).

IWC

PORTUGIESER PERPETUAL CALENDAR 42 BOUTIQUE EDITION Created in the 1930s, the IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser was based on the style of deck watches IWC was producing for the British Royal Navy at the time.

In 2020, for the first time, the famous IWC calendar complication is integrated in an IWC-manufactured movement from the 82000-calibre family. Its compact dimensions have made it possible to offer the watch a diameter of just 42 millimetres. The IWC-manufactured 82650 calibre advances the calendar module with a single impulse during the night. The automatic Pellaton winding is equipped with zirconium oxide ceramic components and builds up a power reserve of 60 hours. The movement can be admired through the transparent sapphire glass back.

Pictured is the Boutique Edition, available in a 18-carat 5N gold case with blue dial, gold-plated hands, 18-carat gold appliques, and a blue alligator leather strap by Santoni.

CAD $38,300.

LUGARO Jewellers | West Vancouver | Victoria

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A Supercar For Your Wrist

AVENTI A-10 TOURBILLON “We’ve brought the style and performance of the finest luxury watches within reach through unconventional applications of existing technology, creating a superwatch that is no longer exclusively for the ultra-rich.”

In horology, a tourbillon (French: “whirlwind”) is an addition to the mechanics of a watch escapement to increase accuracy.

The mechanism is usually exposed on the watch’s face for display. And in the real world, a Tourbillon watch is the ultimate wristwatch for any collector and a must-have/ must-show for those who truly want to showcase their wealth. It is one of the most difficult and technically impressive mechanisms in mechanical timekeeping, reserved for some of the world’s most exclusive and costly timepieces. The average price for a reputable Swiss watch with a tourbillon complication is between $75,000 – $100,000, with some models reaching or passing the million-dollar mark.

By definition, a watch only accessible for the rich and famous.

Or so you thought. A small company recently got some fame for a Crowdfunding campaign, promising a Tourbillon watch for less than $2,000! “Yeah, right, let’s just see where that ends..” – well, we just received the watch!

“The CEO and founder of S-Force LTD watches is at it again.” That’s what we heard when we looked into this too-good-to-be-true announcement, promising not only a tourbillon watch, but a tourbillion-watch with a very unique supercar design and many high-end features, for less than $2,000. Hannu Siren, a young entrepreneur, is known for the massive “S-force” statement watches, loved by bodybuilders, MMA fighters, footballers and other sports enthusiasts.

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“People do not wear watches to tell time but to show their status quo and prove that who they really are”, says Siren.

Aventi, the new brand created by Siren, is attacking this for the general consumer almost unreachable timepiece at full force. The A-10, their first model, offers a tourbillon and, at a higher price point, even a full clear and blue sapphire case at prices far below the norm for such high-end components. How can they do that? Well... let’s have a closer look ...

THE CASE Yes, this is not a Swiss tourbillon! For our watch-enthusiasts: The Aventi A-10 uses a hand-wound Calibre 3450 Skeletonised Tourbillon Movement with double barrels, 25 Jewels and a frequency of 28,800 bhp. The Power reserve is said to be 72 hours. “We have partnered with Hong Kong-based PTS resources in conjunction with Hangzhou Watch Co. (an ISO 9000 company) to manufacture an improved variation of the Calibre 3450 Skeletonised Tourbillon Movement,” says Siren. “Each movement is thoroughly inspected and tested for the utmost quality and accuracy.”

THE STRAP Our watch came with two straps. A nice leather wristband and a carbon fibre version. According to Hannu Siren, authentic automotive carbon fibre is used and carefully stitched into a nitrile rubber band for ultimate strength and comfort.

Keep keep your head up She can be yours

SO ...

We like it. We really do. Whilst this watch does not come with the big name or the prestigious Swiss-made tourbillon, it does offer the fascination of a mechanical masterpiece, in a striking and distinctive form, which will cost a fraction of a Swiss tourbillon. It makes the skeletonised tourbillon watch accessible to a far wider base of collectors than ever before. We foresee many collectors who normally cap their investment at $15,000-$20,000 per watch adding this to their collection..

The price for the regular Aventi A-10 Titanium is USD 1,999. The clear Sapphire version is USD 4,999.

xcitecanada.ca cialiscanada.ca xcitecanada.ca

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WAVE WARRIORS

EPIC BATTLES ON THE WATER

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SailGP is sailing redefined. It is the equivalent of Formula One - on water. Established in 2018 by Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle and former America’s Cup holder, and five-time America’s Cup winner Russell Coutts, the annual innovative new professional sailing league features bold, cutting-edge technology and awe-inspiring athleticism. Ellison and Coutts have been instrumental in developing the commercial prowess of competitive sailing and have headquartered the league in London and San Francisco.

The fan-centric, inshore racing takes place in some of the most iconic harbours around the globe and culminates with a $1 million winner-takes-all match race. Rival national teams from Australia, China, France, Great Britain, Japan and the United States battle it out in identical supercharged F50 catamarans.

F50 CATAMARAN - THE FASTEST SAIL RACE BOAT IN THE WORLD The F50 wingsailed catamaran is a revolutionary concept in sail racing and is the culmination of 10 years of development in high- performance, foiling, multihull racing. It was created as a one-design class to provide each of SailGP’s seven national teams with equal cutting-edge technology, ensuring race results are dependent upon the skill of the championship’s world-class athletes.

The F50 is a new class of boat, sharing its DNA with the revolutionary catamarans used for the 35th America’s Cup in 2017. Yet these racers are the next generation. Powered by a 24-meter wingsail and flying above the water on hydrofoils, the F50 marks a huge step forward in the evolution of the sport.

It displayed unprecedented capabilities in SailGP Season 1, and the Australia SailGP Team became the first crew ever to hit 50 knots during racing. Recognized throughout the industry, the F50 was crowned World Sailing’s 2019 Boat of the Year.

As SailGP is constantly looking to improve the world’s fastest sail racing series, a revolutionary modular wingsail system has been installed which will be used from San Francisco SailGP onwards. It is comprised of sections that can be assembled in varying lengths – initially from 18 to 24 meters with the future ability to go to 29 meters – to enable the spaceage catamarans to compete in a wider range of weather conditions. Vital weight savings have been achieved with the new wing as it is a more advanced structure and the removal of the internal rigging and cables provide additional performance gains in light winds.

SailGP also launched Winning the Race, an ambitious plan to reach carbon zero by 2025, putting the global championship at the forefront of the industry in reaching the critical milestone.

The organization will ensure that its operations and events have a net positive impact on society and accelerate the sport toward a sustainable future, while also creating a blueprint for other major events.

With the impact of Covid19, the SailGP Season 2 has been rescheduled for 2021, using the coming months to focus on further development of the F50 catamarans. The season is set to be expanded from five to a minimum of seven events during the year-long period beginning in April 2021 and spanning to the early months of 2022.

www.SailGP.com

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Coming this September.

VA N C O U V E R LU X U RYAU C T I O N . C O M

THE 80 SUNREEF POWER

Taking Luxury And Seaworthiness To A New Dimension Ladies and Gentlemen - the new 80 Sunreef Power. This luxury catamaran is the newest addition to the lineup of the world’s leading manufacturer of custom-made catamarans. At a generous lliving space of nearly 4,000 sq.ft. it has the square-footage of a 100ft+ yacht and represents one of the largest interior spaces in its class.

“You want a yacht with soul. One that reflects your style and personality. Expect nothing less. A Sunreef Yacht is a yacht that embodies a vision. Your vision!” - Francis Lapp, Founder and CEO.

The new 80 Sunreef Power is a universal multihull yacht for long cruises in ultimate comfort. It incorporates classic stainless steel portlights, teak sole decks, high bulwarks and subtle ambience lighting. Her massive garage combined with an aft platform allows the 80 Sunreef Power to take her dinghy, numerous water toys and jet-ski anywhere she goes.

Easily accessed from the saloon, the yacht’s full-beam bow terrace is a vast, soothing retreat with amazing amounts of space for sunning and lounging. The 80 Sunreef Power’s immense flybridge offers enough breadth to house a spa pool, a wet bar and generous seating all around.

The catamaran offers a four guest cabin en-suites layout with additional separate crew accommodations which, along with the galley and crew mess can be accessed directly from the aft cockpit for more privacy on board.

One of the most spectacular features on board the 80 Sunreef Power is the master suite which can be set up in the bow section of the main deck. With a double bed facing the bow terrace, a bathroom with a walk-in shower, dressing and desk, the suite is bathed in sun from the skylight glazing. The same space can also be used to install a large lounge with ample seating and access to the foredeck.

The main saloon with its skylight ceiling, bar area and direct access to the foredeck opens wide onto the ample aft cockpit to combine the yacht’s interior dining space that seats up to 10 with the outdoor relaxation areas, where more seating is available along with a wet bar. The fully customizable saloon can also accommodate for a large galley, depending on the layout selected and houses an elevated interior navigation station.

Beautifully finished in a metallic bronze hull that accents the white superstructure with black accents, the 80 Sunreef Power comes standard with two 575 hp diesel engines and can get upgraded to two powerful MAN 1200hp V-8 engines, allowing for a top speed over 20 knots and a cruising range of 3,500nm.

Appr. US$ 7 Million incl. extras and the 1200hp engine upgrade (a $450,000 option). For more information, visit sunreef-yachts.com

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A NEW DIMENSION

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by Jason Boudreau

CREATING IMPACT Candid Conversations with Leaders in Life, Business and Philanthropy

W

Welcome back to another edition of Creating Impact, Candid Conversations with Leaders in Life, Business and Philanthropy. Before we dive in, I first want to take a moment to extend my very best wishes and hope this finds you and yours safe and healthy. As a race, we are certainly experiencing times unlike any other. In this issue, I am both humbled and excited to bring you another story of a big-hearted entrepreneur with a passion to create transformation on the planet and leave it a better place for future generations- something I believe is important now more than ever.

In early March, 2020, just before the world went into lockdown, I was in Palm Springs and had the fortunate opportunity to spend some time with Ian Telfer, former Chairman and CEO of Goldcorp Inc. Ian is a well-known Canadian mining entrepreneur and executive with a successful career spanning over three decades. During his time at Goldcorp, Ian led the company to become Canada’s top gold producer, prior to its acquisition in April, 2019, by Newmont Mining for USD $10B. Over his career, Ian developed a passion for philanthropy. Sharing his success through giving back to those people and organisations that had made a difference in his life became a core focus for Ian, personally, and Goldcorp, as a company. Throughout this candid conversation with Ian, his focus, drive and unique ability to lead were abundantly clear. What came through even stronger though were his humility, kindness and generosity of spirit- qualities of a leader that people truly want to follow.

Ian’s life journey began in 1946 in Oxford, England. His father was a Scottish pilot in the Royal Air Force and had spent time living in Canada (Moosejaw, SK) training other Air Force pilots before being transferred back to the UK and meeting Ian’s mother on a blind date. The family lived in England until 1948 when Ian’s parents decided to move to Canada and after a five-year stint back in Moosejaw, they finally ended up putting down roots in Toronto.

Ian grew up in the upper-middle class area of Downsview,

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IAN TELFER

former Chairman and CEO, Goldcorp Inc.

where he remained until the end of high school. He shares, “I failed grade 13 and barely got into the University of Toronto”. Once he settled into U of T, he decided to join a fraternity and explains “I was voted Most Likely to Fail by my fraternity brothers”. Eventually Ian passed his final university exams, however, did not have a job lined up to take once he graduated.

Over the next five years, Ian held many different jobs, including selling pharmaceuticals and even life insurance for London Life. After a short stint in Europe for “fun and work”, Ian found himself in Ottawa working for Prentice Hall, selling university text books. “Then one day I woke up and told myself I’d better get my act together”, he recalls. He continues, “I always read Fortune and other business publications like that.

One thing I noticed is that almost all CEOs started off as Brand Managers and then eventually became CEOs. I decided that I was going to become a CEO and start off first as a Brand Manager to get there”. Ian decided to go back to school to get his MBA. He wrote the GMATs and then applied to 10 different business schools in Canada, every one of them turning him down.

At this point, in 1974, Ian was still with Prentice Hall and shares, “I hated my job, I hated my life”. Then, on Labour Day of that year, he received a call from the University of Ottawa who remarkabley had an opening in the business school. “They also proceed to tell me that I have the worst marks ever for a graduate student and to please not embarrass them”, he laughs. Ian was so grateful for the opportunity and explains, “I showed up, worked my ass off and at Christmas, I received a scholarship into the MBA program”.

In the summer of 1975, Ian was working for Bata Shoes and had just met his wife to be, Nancy. They met on a blind date, just has his parents had back in 1944. By this time, Ian had been diligently been pursuing his brand manager aspirations, sending letters to stalwart companies like Colgate, General Mills, Lever and Proctor & Gamble. Ian remembers “at the time I was 28/29 years old. I got a bunch of interviews and both Colgate and Proctor & Gamble gave me job offers calling on Eastern Ontario drug stores. My response to them was, ‘I already did that job. Forget it, I’m not doing that again’”. He decided to reach out to some of his friends and seek their counsel on what he should do next. One of his friends suggested he get his Chartered Accountant designation, “so I did!” Ian continues, “In 1976 I wrote the CA exam and I

Jason Boudreau with Ian Telfer, Palm Springs, 2020

passed! I started working right away at a firm called Thorne Riddell and then in 1979, a mining company called Hudson Bay Mining called. I took the job right away in the role of financial analyst”.

Ian worked at Hudson Bay Mining until 1983, when a chance arose that he couldn’t pass up, “so I moved to Brazil with Nancy and our one-year old son”.

Ian shared, “I had an opportunity to work with Eike Batista, and we formed a company called TVX Gold. It was an incredible experience, we lived there for five more years, learned Portuguese, had a ton of fun and adopted our other son. At that time, TVX merged with INCO and I felt it was time to return to Canada, so in 1990, Nancy and I moved back to Toronto with our two boys”.

Shortly after returning to Toronto, Ian received a call from well-known mining entrepreneur Robert Friedland. Ian explains, “I was bored at the time so in 1993, I moved to Vancouver and joined Friedland in a company called Vengold. We raised money at one dollar, went to Venezuela, drilled and found…NO GOLD!. The stock then eventually dropped to five cents. We

then decided to start a new project in Papua New Guinea through Vengold, run by Rio Tinto. The stock ran and then eventually gold prices dropped and the stock ended up at six cents”.

It was now 1999 and the internet was coming online fast. At that time, Ian decided to launch an internet startup called Itemus, using the same shell company as Vengold with the share price starting at six cents. He jokes, “at that time we asked, does Canada have an internet? The stock went on a nice run from six cents to five dollars and we invested in a number of different internet/IOT companies.

Then, in July 2001, with the Dot-Com bubble bursting, the company went bankrupt”.

Ian was now 55 years old and he recalls that at that point in life, “I had two kids in Collingwood School and no job. I sold my house in West Vancouver and moved into a rental.

Then, around 2002, I reconnected with Frank Giustra. We knew each other from the mining industry and Frank had called and told me he’d always wanted to work with me.” Ian and Frank then started Wheaton River Minerals and Ian remembers,

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“we bought EVERYTHING. We kept on buying, acquiring a lot of assets, continued buying and acquiring and then, in 2005, we merged with Goldcorp”. After the merger, the offices were moved from Toronto to Vancouver. “It was incredible”, Ian exclaims,” when we started Wheaton, our market cap was $10M and at one point, Goldcorp hit a market cap of $50B. We grew from six to 20,000 employees”.

As the conversation segues from business to philanthropy, Ian mentions that what he is most proud of is that, “between 2002 and 2019, Goldcorp gave away over $100MM to charity. I was thrilled that we were able to have the impact that we did. I believed that for Goldcorp, it was just part of being a good corporate citizen and in Vancouver, there were very few large corporate citizens”. It was incredible to learn just how substantial Goldcorp’s contribution to the community truly was under Ian’s leadership. Ian reveals that, “as Goldcorp grew, the charities didn’t really know about us at first, and then every year, and the next year, and the next year, and the next year, they learned about us and our giving and requested support…and we were thrilled to do it! The difference with Goldcorp was that all of the other major companies like BMO, Telus, Rogers, etc. had products to sell to the public, we were just doing it out of the goodness of our hearts”.

As the company continued its incredible growth, so too did its focus on charitable giving. “I absolutely pushed it at Goldcorp”, remarks Ian, “we had an “eclectic” approach to giving, we did what felt good and really focused on staying in sync with our employees and the causes that mattered in their lives. As an example, we covered around 99% of the Special Olympics budget. We considered it as though we were “supporting friends” and my biggest concerns with the Newmont buyout were the future of the Goldcorp staff and the philanthropy”.

As the conversation turns from Goldcorp’s corporate philanthropic projects, to Ian’s personal interest in philanthropy, which he shares with his wife, Ian recounts a story about a unique call he received in the mid-’90s. “I’m in mining, living in Vancouver, it’s been about 20 years since I was at the University of Ottawa and I get a call from them.

They ask, ‘is this Ian Telfer?’ Yes, ‘Did you go to the University of Ottawa?’, Yes, ‘We’re setting up a $5,000 scholarship in your name, have you thought about your criteria?’”. Ian recalls pausing for a moment’s reflection, before replying, “I want the scholarship to go to the student who is accepted into the MBA program with the lowest marks!”. After the faculty at the University of Ottawa heard about this, they put Ian on their “radar” and the next time the Dean was on a trip to Vancouver, he invited Ian to lunch, with the aim of establishing a line of communication between himself and the university.

Ian then fast-forwards the conversation to around 2005, “it was around the time the TV show The Apprentice started.

I decided to create a posting for the MBA graduates that one student could apprentice under the CEO of Goldcorp. I go to the University of Ottawa, interview a bunch of students and up hiring a woman who turned out to be fantastic.

We ran the apprentice program for only another year and both of them are still in the mining business today”.

In 2007, through the MBA apprentice program, Ian states, “I got to know the school and the school got to know me. Then, one day, the Dean says to me that no business school in Canada has been named after someone who went there”. This conversation then resulted in Ian making a significant contribution to his Alma Mater, with a donation of $25 million to the University of Ottawa’s School of Management. Following his generous gift, the name was changed to the Telfer School of Management.

“The triple irony was”, Ian remarks, “the guy who got turned down, then gave a scholarship to the student with the worst marks, now has his name on the building!”.

Ian still returns to the school 2-3 times a year and effuses, “the students have a much stronger connection to the school when it’s named after a person. Invariably when I’m back there, someone comes up to me and says, ‘Mr. Telfer, I won your scholarship!’ and I can’t help but smile and laugh a little”.

Ian and Nancy’s generosity is felt throughout the community, both at home in Vancouver and across Canada. They have been generous supporters of Collingwood School, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Lions Gate Hospital to name but a few. Ian shares that “All causes are deserving causes.

I believe personal philanthropy is about things that touch your heart”. Today, through their Fernwood Foundation (Fernwood Road is the first street they lived on Toronto), education and healthcare are the main focuses of their giving. “Philanthropy doesn’t need to be complicated”, says Ian, “today we just see things much more simply”.

At the conclusion of our engaging conversation, I asked Ian to share two key takeaways for anyone who wants to give back and become philanthropists themselves.

As expected, Ian’s words are resonant and make me think a lot about how to look at giving from a new perspective.

“Focus on things that are impactful to you. Do something where you feel a close connection to it, where it’s close to your heart. And, I believe that to the extent possible, giving should be very public. When you do something, put your name on it! This will encourage others and inspire them to do the same!”.

JASON BOUDREAU CFP, CLU WEALTH ADVISOR Principal & Founder - VELA Wealth www.velawealth.com

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THE

MANLY MAN

“

Turning one’s back on stardom might be the highest form of common sense. One that I would aspire to be more complete with.”

sean

PENN ACTOR | DIRECTOR | FILMMAKER | PHILANTHROPIST

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Sean Penn

photo: Debby Wong

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SEAN JUSTIN PENN was born on August 17, 1960 as the second son of actress Eileen Ryan and director, actor, and writer Leo Penn.

Long the bad boy of Hollywood, Penn grew up in a neighbourhood populated by future celebrities. He attended Santa Monica High School along with fellow students and future actors Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen and Rob Lowe.

He had an interest in film-making from an early age, and spent much of his free time with his older brother, Michael, a singer/songwriter-turned-director, and his younger brother Chris, a noted character actor, making a number of amateur films shot with Super-8 cameras.

Whilst Penn’s original intention was to attend law school, he ultimately skipped college to join the Los Angeles Repertory Theater. Penn’s passion for acting led to his professional debut on an episode of television’s Barnaby Jones, prior to him moving to New York City at the age of 19. He landed a part in the Broadway play Heartland and starred in a TVmovie, The Killing of Randy Webster, before he made his film debut alongside budding star Tom Cruise and Academy Award winner Timothy Hutton in the military school drama Taps in 1981.

His breakthrough role came a year later, in 1982. Playing the stoned surfer dude Jeff Spicoli opposite Jennifer Jason Leigh, he stole every scene in which he appeared in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The movie became an instant classic of the teen comedy genre and Penn moved on garnering acclaim for his first starring role in Bad Boys (1983) and The Falcon and the Snowman (1985).

1985 also brought about the tumultuous four-year marriage to pop icon Madonna. Penn, by then nicknamed the “Bad Boy of Hollywood”, was the subject of more tabloid headlines for his constant temper-filled run-ins with the aggressive paparazzi than for acting. He even served 34 days in prison for punching an extra who tried to take his picture).

His only movie role, Shanghai Surprise (1987) alongside his wife Madonna, was met with box-office disaster, and also marked the end of their relationship.

The couple divorced in 1989 and Penn moved in with his new girlfriend, actress Robin Wright, who he would eventually marry after a brief separation, in 1996.

They divorced in 2010.

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In 1988, Colors represented Penn’s first hit in several years. It was followed by Brian DePalma’s Vietnam tale Casualties of War, the comedy We’re No Angels with his idol, Robert De Niro (both 1989), and the gangster melodrama State of Grace (1990).

In 1991, Penn wrote and directed his first film, The Indian Runner, inspired by a Bruce Springsteen song, which opened to a limited release and earned only mild praise. Following the announcement of his intention to retire from acting and focus on directing, he reappeared in front of the camera in Brian De Palma’s Carlito’s Way (1993), co-starring Al Pacino, a role which won him a Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actor.

In 1995, Penn wrote, produced and directed The Crossing Guard with Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Houston, and won an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of a death-row inmate in Dead Man Walking.

1997 saw one of Penn’s busiest years.

In addition to starring opposite his then wife Robin Wright in She’s So Lovely, he appeared in The Game by David Fincher as well as in Oliver Stone’s U-Turn.

In 1999 he earned his second Oscar nomination for Woody Allen’s Sweet and Lowdown and in 2002 the third nomination followed for I Am Sam. In 2001, Penn also received a lot of attention for his outspoken political views.

After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the left-leaning Penn gave a controversial interview which led to TV’s Bill O’Reilly calling for people to boycot all of Penn’s future films. It wouldn’t harm his career, and over the next few years, several critically acclaimed films, including Born Into This (2002) and Clint Eastwood’s Mystic River (2004), won him his fourth Academy Award nomination and, ultimately, his first win for Best Actor.

After directing Into The Wild (2007), Penn accepted another lead role, when he portrayed the first openly gay politician, Harvey Milk, in Milk (2008). It won him his second Oscar for Best Actor.

Several movies followed, the more notable ones being This Must Be The Place (2011), Gangster Squad (2013) and The Gunman (2015). In 2016, Penn narrated the audiobook Bob Honey Who Just Do

“I don’t consider myself specifically political, you know?

I think of working as an actor as being a human thing. The concerns I have that fall into politics are human concerns.”

Stuff, which tells the story of a middleage divorcee, worrying about the state of his country, while working as an undercover secret agent and hitman for the government. He denied writing it but followed up with his debut novel under the same title in 2018, which received harsh criticism on a number of levels.

In early 2016, Penn revealed a meeting with Mexican drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Discussions centered around a possible movie about his life leading to his escape from a high-security prison just months earlier. He also premiered his fifth directorial feature, The Last Face.

Sean Penn was last seen on the big screen in The Professor and the Madman (2019). In 2020, he played himself in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm and returned behind the camera as a director with his upcoming film Flag Day, in which he also stars.

CORE Sean Penn’s non-profit Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) first launched in 2010 as “J/P Haitian Relief Organization”, providing disaster relief following the catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Haiti.

During the Covid19-pandemic, CORE, alongside various other healthcare providers, offered free coronavirus testing to first responders, and low-cost testing to the general public in several cities and counties. A testing site at Dodger Stadium, offering free tests to up to 6,000 residents a day, was reportedly the largest testing site in the U.S. In early June, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the state was teaming up with CORE to establish 11 new testing sites in the most impacted zip codes in the five boroughs.

2020 RANGE ROVER SPORT PHEV

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Surmesur presents: A Custom Tailored Life

The

Essential

Man

Surmesur Celebrates Dr. Patrick Yang

Like many of us, Dr. Patrick Yang found himself with much of his work cancelled when the COVID-19 shutdowns started.

As an Oculoplastic Surgeon, Dr. Yang’s surgeries for cancer and reconstruction were still a go, but scheduled surgeries to restore eyesight were deemed elective and therefore cancelled.

Coincidentally, as many facilities were closed during the mandatory shutdown, some eye-related concerns and emergencies were re-routed to the ophthalmologist on-call at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, which was also bracing for a surge of COVID-19 patients.

Hospitals and health authorities scrambled to get the necessary Personal Protective Equipment they needed for a worst-case scenario. New information about this novel disease was circulating daily, adding fuel to the fire of fear and uncertainty. For some, it seemed the world we knew was unravelling.

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@surmesurvancouvervancov

Surmesur Vancouver 1012 Mainland St. | (604) 424-8555 vancouver@surmesur.com

It was said that this pandemic would be a make-it or break-it moment for British Columbians. Would we shelter behind our hoarded stacks of toilet paper and Lysol wipes, or would we step up to the plate in helping each other?

Dr. Yang chose the latter.

Some of his colleagues were in age groups which put them at higher risk of COVID-19 complications. With increased patient load, Dr. Yang felt this may put some of his colleagues at too high of a risk for infection. So he offered to see patients if his colleagues felt uncomfortable, donned his mask, shield, gown, and went to work.

“Like everyone else at the hospital, there were some sacrifices.”, says Yang as he sheepishly shrugs his shoulders. “I couldn’t visit my parents for months, in case I was unknowingly a coronavirus carrier. But some colleagues had it much worse. They had to stay away from their own spouses and children.”

Despite the long uncomfortable work days with foggy face shields and ears chafed from face mask straps, Dr. Yang chooses to see the positive. “I was proud of my colleagues in the ER (Emergency Room), the ICU and the primary care clinics, those on the front line, sacrificing all that they did. Every day was something new to celebrate: a patient gets discharged, a surprise food delivery, even the 7 o’clock cheers…”, he remembers fondly. “It was tough, but it was what we all signed up for.”

Despite the celebrations of our front line and essential workers, tales from the ugly underbelly of society began to emerge as well during the lockdown.

Surmesur presents: A Custom Tailored Life “I was quite nervous about all the reports of anti-Asian racism I was seeing.”, says Yang. “I’ll admit, I was on edge whenever I was outside of the hospital.”

“One day while I was at the supermarket, an older Caucasian man stood in my way and stared at me as if he had something to say.”, recalls Dr. Yang. “With my guard already up I stood up straight and asked ‘Can I help you sir??’”

“I was fully expecting accusations of the origin of the coronavirus or the usual ‘Go back to where you came from!’ that I’ve heard so often growing up here.”, Yang tells me as his voice begins to tremble. “‘I just want to say… Thank you for your service!’ was what he said!”, chuckles Yang. Unbeknownst to our kind doctor, he had his hospital ID badge hanging out from his jacket’s ticket pocket.

“That’s a statement I would say to my patients who were World War 2 veterans, as they were allies to my grandfather who fought in the war for the same common goal. I never expected to ever hear it directed to me.”, Yang explains. “It was touching to hear it said to me like I would say it to a war veteran.”

As we finally venture outside our homes with a new appreciation for the tiniest of often overseen luxuries, let us also celebrate the united efforts we all played.

“Without everyone staying in quarantine or practising proper hygiene and social distancing, this could have ended up a lot worse.”, says a grateful Dr. Yang.

“I’ll be able to see my family again soon.”, he smiles. photos: Pulse Digital Media / @pulse.digital

In honour of our essential workers, Dr Yang is styled in the essential workhorse of any man’s wardrobe: the Navy Three-Piece Suit by Surmesur.

“It’s an essential and versatile foundation for any wardrobe.”, says Master Clothier Will Yoshikawa Chen. “Each piece can be worn separately or together in any combination, matching effortlessly with any colours or accessories.”

“To acknowledge the hard work and dedication it took Dr. Yang to get into a specialization like Oculoplastic Surgery, we chose to go with an extra fine natural stretch wool from the House

of Dormeuil”, explains Chen. “At first glance, it might seem like any other navy suit, but the unique way it reflects light when he moves captures the recognition he deserves.” Chen continues: “And the natural stretch derived from this small batch wool keeps up with Dr. Yang’s active and varied lifestyle.”

“With the measurements and fit already optimized for his musculoskeletal structure, Dr. Yang doesn’t need to worry about how it looks on him. This allows his true essence to emerge.” explains our Master Clothier Chen. “And in him, we see a profound sense of duty, honour, and humility.”

To discover how your unique essence can be communicated through custom tailored garments, please email Surmesur Custom Menswear at vancouver@surmesur.com and mention this article for a complimentary gift with suit purchase.

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In Style!

STEFANO RICCI CLASSIC ‘Classic’ is a rich yet elegant fragrance suitable for a man with a bold and unique personality, able to express his delicacy. The bottle, expressed in an arc-shaped jewel of crystal was inspired by Florentine architecture. Made in Italy.

Stefano Ricci Boutique, Vancouver

LOUIS VUITTON CACTUS GARDEN “The enthusiasm of mate to exalt the emotions. The cool freshness of an exotic patio. A breath of leaves defies the heat wave like an enchanted frisson on the skin.” Master Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud invites mate, that singular tea from faraway lands into a perfume that expresses the atmosphere of a tropical forest.

HERMES TERRE D’HERMÈS “Feeling the earth, lying on the ground, gazing at the sky.”

-Jean-Claude Ellena, Master Parfumeur Terre d’Hermès is an expression of the alchemical power of the elements. An eau between earth and sky. Woody, vegetal, mineral, it is dominated by cedar, and goes deeper with the sweetness of resins and the impalpable voluptuousness of benzoin.

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TOM FORD OMBRÉ LEATHER Vast and driven, the floral leather and cool spices of Tom Ford Ombré Leather reveal an untethered scent. Freedom; the desert heart of the West, wrapped in leather. Wideopen space. Dust on wind, skin on skin, Ombré Leather reveals itself like a landscape in layers, where stretches of rock transform into sunrise blonde low on the horizon.

MONT BLANC EXPLORER This unconventional woody aromatic leather Eau de Parfum reveals a fresh green Italian bergamot, contrasted with a powerful vetiver from Haiti, and combined with rich and exclusive patchouli from Indonesia.

BENTLEY BEYOND THE COLLECTION It is the eclectic fusion of sights, sounds and smells of exotic destinations that have influenced master perfumer Julie Massé to create Bentley’s Beyond - The Collection. Exotic Musk evokes Acapulco nights as the title note envelops the senses, laced with exotic orris and tonka bean, while strong woods lend reassuring stability to the dry down.

In Style!

Summer Fragrances For Men

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The Gentleman

They should have taught you this in school....

by Dr. Christian Brix

THE BREAK-UP

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nyone that has been on either end of a “dumping” knows the emotions that can be involved. They are some of the most intense we can experience in our lives. Losing someone is almost always difficult, and how you handle the situation is both a chance to reveal your character and a great way to build it. There are some clear rules on handling a split with class and dignity, and I promise you will probably break them at least once in your life. It might seem impossible to be the calm, cool, collected individual you should be, but it can’t hurt to try! Here are some Do’s and Don’ts: DO - Cry if you need to...releasing that emotion can be therapeutic. Watch out for diamond commercials...they get me every time.

DON’T - Wail, scream and beg.

Regardless of the outcome, you WILL regret it later.

DO - Break-up with someone in person.

If you are a coward or heartless, do it with an email or a text. A phone breakup is only appropriate (but barely) in a long-distance relationship. Show some respect, be confident, and talk to their face.

DO - Be as honest with someone as possible when you are on either side of the “dumping.” Be gentle and sincere with your honesty, but don’t hurt them with details that don’t matter.

DO - Move on! If someone doesn’t want to be with you for whatever reason, the ONLY thing to do is gracefully excuse yourself from their life and move forward. If they change their mind and you’re still into it, they will come find you. Not to mention: human nature (as ridiculous as it is) is such that we want what we can’t have, so if there is hope, you look better if you aren’t drooling on their doorstep.

DO - Be respectful of the feelings of your ex when you have found someone new. Spare everyone the big announcements, public displays and social media posting about your new partner. Congrats…you are dating a model…we don’t care.

“Breaking up is like knocking over a Coke machine. You can’t do it in one push. You gotta rock it back and forth a few times, and then it goes over.”

DON’T - Give people false hope.

If you really are done, tear off the bandage quickly and set them on the path to healing. Save them from the “I just need some time” if you know you are really done.

DO - Recognize that if you were the one that made a mistake, and they cannot forgive you, all you can do is be sincere with your apology and the rest is up to them.

We know it wasn’t your fault (sarcasm), but accept the consequences for what they are.

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DO – Find an outlet for your emotions that is positive. Try exercise, cooking, origami or some other random hobby. Skip the partying, drinking, and anger phase...you will end up right where you started anyway, and you’ll have less money.

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DO - Take the time after a break up to make sure you are okay on your own. Jumping quickly into another relationship for fear of being alone is a fantastic way to avoid growing, evolving, and becoming a better partner/ human. Take time to heal.

Jerry Seinfeld said: “Breaking up is like knocking over a Coke machine. You can’t do it in one push. You gotta rock it back and forth a few times, and then it goes over.” The key to a successful result when going through what can be one of the hardest times in your life is to be honest, remain collected, and make decisions firmly.

Almost any other path leads to regret and more pain.

DON’T - Think for a second that cheating is anyone else’s fault other than the person who cheated. Ever.

DO - Get help from a therapist, coach or a book if you are a cheater, controller, or a general A**hole. If you don’t, you will one day find yourself in an unfulfilling relationship or alone.

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- jerry seinfeld

DON’T - Be dramatic! Anything that involves desperate cries for attention on social media, burning of stuff, damaging property, or public displays is ridiculous and excessive. Settle down.

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Dr. Christian Brix Dr. Christian Brix is a writer, a gentleman, and a Chiropractor living in and loving Kelowna B.C. www.brixfamilychiropractic.com

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EXCLUSIVE VANCOUVER DREAM ESTATES

A SENSATIONAL WATERFRONT TOWNHOUSE IN COAL HARBOUR’S MOST EXCLUSIVE CALLISTO DEVELOPMENT

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- 308 JERVIS MEWS/ TH 22 1281 West Cordova Street | $5,980,000 -

THIS TRULY SENSATIONAL waterfront Townhouse Residence at CALLISTO defines the ultimate sophisticated lifestyle in the heart of Vancouver’s most sought after Coal Harbour neighborhood, just steps to the seawall and the area’s finest restaurants and shops.

This stunning luxury two bedroom, two and one half bathroom three level residence provides a sophisticated and luxurious indoor outdoor lifestyle like no other with large walk-out, private, garden terraces and outdoor summer lounge offering sweeping mountain and water views. Exquisite design, master craftsmanship and luxurious finishes blend seamlessly to create an international masterpiece extensively renovated by Vancouver’s LIVING SPACE while embracing the security and convenience of today’s most up-to-date technology.

Generous in scale and intimate in comfort, this is a residence designed foremost as a home: inviting, warm, private and spectacularly beautiful. Offering approximately two thousand four hundred square feet of expansive living on three spacious

levels this stunning residence boasts spacious entertainment size principal rooms, including a sensational new Italian kitchen with all top grade appliances and a large serving counter with breakfast bar. Entertainment size Living and Dining areas feature a stunning feature fireplace and provide an indoor outdoor lifestyle with direct access to the private terrace.

The beautiful Master Suite and Master Bathroom include a walk-in Dressing room. Two privately situated Guest Bedrooms complete this unique and absolutely amazing residence. Many additional features include SMART HOME automation with LUTRON lighting, a private elevator, private two car garage, air conditioning and state of the art security.

The development also provides on site concierge, a resort style indoor/outdoor swimming pool with spa, gym and secured gated parking for two vehicles. Nothing compares to the exclusivity of living at the CALLISTO with its distinctive and alluring European Grandeur and ideal position located in the heart of this most prized location.

MALCOLM HASMAN www.malcolmhasman.com

VANCOUVER’S TOP SELLING LUXURY AGENT Angell Hasman & Associates (Malcolm Hasman) Realty Ltd.

1555 Marine Drive, West Vancouver

604.290.1679

Year Built: 2005 | Floor Size: 2,405 SQ FT | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms (2 and 1 half) | 2 Car Private Garage | $5,980,000

Find Your Next Door I am thrilled to share with you an exciting announcement. I have joined forces with Mike Rampf and the Internationally renowned firm Engel & Völkers. At E&V they are passionate about exceeding client expectations. So, it was only natural that I aligned myself with this exceptional group of real estate professionals so that I can continue to serve my clients both here and across the globe. I was drawn to the fact that they don’t simply have agents, but rather, trusted advisors to guide clients through their home journey with precise knowledge, distinguished care ... and a bit of fun. This alignment of values and International reach all while maintaining a boutique and personal feel is exactly why I chose to accept Mike’s invitation to work alongside him and the team at Engel & Völkers.

When Mike first invited me to work with him we talked at length about our core values and vision for the future of our team. A repeating theme that continued to surface was that we believe that one Real Estate agent can’t be a specialist in all the areas of Vancouver. As a result, we’ve recruited a diverse group of top-quality Real Estate advisors to create an incredible team called, “The Next Door Real Estate Group.” These experts live in the areas that they work and are proud to introduce you to their very own neighborhoods.

Spanning across the North Shore from Deep Cove to Lions Bay and in every pocket of Vancouver from Downtown to the University of British Columbia we are your trusted real estate specialists. The Next Door Real Estate Group is passionate about helping our clients achieve their real estate goals. We are pleased to introduce you to the advisors of The Next Door.

We at The Next Door Real Estate Group are here for one simple purpose; to help you.

We are not here to merely sell a house or buy a condo, we are committed to standing MIKE RAMPF Personal Real Estate Corporation Since 2005, Mike has dedicated his career in Real Estae to honestly helping his clients by standing in their corner making sure they make the best choices for them in a nonpressured environment.

Polly Reitze

Realtor North Shore

Sherry Chen

Realtor Vancouver

Andie Skene

Realtor Vancouver

in your corner and advising you to make the right choice for you and your family in finding that Next Door. Our groups name represents to us not only the next home you might be purchasing, but the next step on your journey that we are honoured to help you navigate. As a group we are aligned in our core values of honesty, integrity and excellence. We pride ourselves in going above and beyond for our clients and treating everyone with equal time and attention.

As Owner of the North Shore territory for The Next Door Real Estate Group I’m excited to see the impact our new team will have in the area. I personally work out of the beautiful Engel & Völkers office in Dundarave, West Vancouver and we will be thoughtfully expanding our team and presence over the next year.

JESSE DEAN COOK Personal Real Estate Corporation As a North Shore resident, Jesse is excited to share with you the natural beauty, inviting community and exclusive properties that make North Vancouver & West Vancouver one of the world’s most desirable places to life.

A unique component of why I was drawn to working with Engel & Völkers is the incredible global presence they have and their Aviation and Yachting divisions.

From a majestic yacht charter in the Mediterranean to a private flight to your dream vacation destination— for all of these unforgettable moments in your life, Engel & Völkers offers exclusive services tailored to your needs.

Jessica Webster

Unlicensed Assistant

Bronwyn Bertles Realtor Vancouver

Amanda Wood

Marketing North Shore

Mary Ann Rampf Operations Manager

FEATURED LISTINGS 205-2239 W 7th Ave. Vancouver

1360 Queens Ave. West Vancouver

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202-3639 W 16 Street Vancouver

8473 Isabel Place Vancouver

502-475 13th Street West Vancouver

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Offered at $2,798,000

Offered at $1,980,000

Jesse Dean Cook Personal Real Estate Corporation

THE

GENTLEMAN

by Julie-Anna Vogel | www.julieabroad.com

ABROAD

EDITION 3 - BANFF, CANADA AH! BANFF! ... A town, a national park, a gag from the old sitcom F-Troup and a crater on Mars. Back in 1885, Canada’s first Prime Minister John A Mac Donald settled the dispute of who discovered the Hot Springs and had therefore had the right to develop them by declaring Banff Hot Springs Reserve Canada’s first National Park. HA! Nice timing. This coincided with the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad and the beginning of tourism. The park expanded, the CP Railway built hotels and a town sprang up to provide for the guests. Banff was a hit. Wealthy Europeans flocked to this remote Canadian destination.

They still do. There is plenty to keep the adventurous gentleman fit and satisfied in summer or winter.

THE POST HOTEL - Actually in Lake Louise, but this is Canada, a 45 minute drive is nothing, it is still in the Park and it is the only Relais & Chateaux in the Province. So you know the accommodation is great. The restaurant won “best food in the Americas” from Conde Nast Travelers Gold list so you know the food is great. But you’ll come for the wine list. The cellar has over 25,500 bottles, is a lifelong passion of owner George Schwarz and has been awarded Wine Spectator’s Grand Award , its highest honor, since 2002. Their specialist wine events are legendary, a ‘must attend’ on any calendar.

www.posthotel.com LAKE MINNEWANKA - Cold, very cold, scuba diving in this glacier fed man-made lake is a unique experience. Not to look at fish. In 1888 a rustic hotel was built on the shores of the lake. Mostly fishermen came. Slowly a town grew. In 1912 the Government decide to make the lake a holding reservoir for downstream generating stations. Buildings moved. In 1941 a hydroelectric plant was built, the lake doubled in size and the town was submerged. Now the only way to visit is with a tank.

www.northwestscuba.com/site/lake-minnewanka HOT SPRINGS - Soaking in hot water is how this whole place got started. A true luxury in 1884, and still pretty awesome today. Except for the crowds. Make your dip truly decadent by renting out the whole place. It is available for private hire an hour before opening and an hour after closing! www.hotsprings.ca/banff

HELI-HIKING - There are 1600 km of trails in Banff National Park. Some are easy, some are hard, but for the truly spectacular, to get away from the hoi polloy and civilization itself, book a heli-hiking trip. Some even include overnighting opportunities. (and, of course, there is skiing ...) www.banfflakelouise.com/hiking

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BANFF SPRINGS GOLF CLUB - CP Railway thought a 9 hole course would be a nice attraction for guests of their hotel. It became a draw in its own right when Stanley Thompson spent $1,000,000 redesigning it in 1927, making it the most expensive course in the world at the time. It is now considered by many to be the most spectacularly located coarse anywhere. The par 3, 4th hole, called Devil’s Cauldron is as scenic as golf gets. Just try to concentrate on the ball. www.fairmont.com/banff-springs/golf/the-fairmont-banff-springs-golf PARK DISTILLERY - Craft spirits at their most creative. Park Distillery says their water is what makes them distinct. It comes from 6 different glaciers in the Park. Grains are local too‌ Alberta and the prairies are the breadbasket of Canada. Malt, barley, rye and wheat are all harvested nearby. The Park Maple Rye is Canadian as booze gets! Their onsite shop sells the whole selection or enjoy as a cocktail in the adjoining bar/restaurant. www.parkdistillery.com

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UNDERWATER CUISINE No, this isn’t just some huge piece of concrete that has crashed into the waves of the ocean. This, in fact must be the coolest restaurant we have ever seen.

Under, which opened in 2019, sits almost 6m below the surface at the southernmost point of the Norwegian coastline, where the sea storms from the north and south meet, and is Europe’s first and the world’s largest underwater restaurant.

Diners have some amazing views through an eleven-meter-wide and 3.4-meter-tall horizontal window, offering a visual gateway to the sea and its marine life. At the helm of chef Nicolai Ellitsgaard, the restaurant and its culinary creations, often plucked from the sea beyond, just recently received one star in the 2020 edition of the prestigious Michelin Guide.

Under is located at Spangereid in the municipality of Lindesnes, about five hours south of Oslo.

www.under.no

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“Playing on the action on a Fazioli is like a massage for a pianist”

– Rachel Lam

W W W . S H O W C A S E P I A N O S . C O M

SONEVA JANI, MALDIVES A collection of water and island Villas on the island of Medhufaru in the crystal clear waters of the Noonu Atoll, fringed by islands home to white beaches and tropical greenery. Each water villa opens to its very own stretch of lagoon and is complete with a private pool and a retractable roof to stargaze from the master bedroom.

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Worth the

Wait!

NOT JUST A DREAM - WE FOUND THE ULTIMATE VACATION SPOTS FOR 2021 Yes, travels have been brought to a juddering halt. With travel restrictions affecting most of the world for the past few months, we are all looking forward to booking our next dream vacation. And while there may be some safety-related challenges ahead, there are early signs that consumer confidence may be returning thanks to various innovations and our natural ability to adapt. We are hopeful that we will soon be able to visit foreign climes once again, and so we decided to amplify our daydreaming and do some research. We need to have something to look forward to, right?

First we had to decide what we were craving. Turquoise blue waters. The warmth of the sun. Some amazing and dramatic views. Culture, things to explore. And delicious food. And maybe, after everything we have just experienced and with social distancing mantras hammered into our brains, a remote boutique hotel or resort as opposed to a huge hotel complex with hundreds of rooms would be just what the doctor ordered. We hope you like our little selection, and we can attest to the mental benefits of a little daydreaming, so start looking for your own dream destination for 2021.

MADIWKE SAFARI LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA Nestled between two rolling hills overlooking the rich, game-filled plains of Madikwe Game Reserve, the lodge is home to three intimate camps, totalling just 20 luxury suites.

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KAGGA KAMMA, SOUTH AFRICA Nestled in the scenic Cederberg Mountains, far away from the city lights, in a vast open space, where rock formations frame the horizon, this resort offers guests experiences and facilities that are close to nature, including ”Cave” Suites and the spectacular “Star Suite.”

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THE MURAKA, MALDIVES The Muraka is an underwater villa, nestled five metres under the crystal clear waters of the Maldives and part of the Conrad Maldives Rangali resort. At a rate of US$50,000 a night, The Muraka can accommodate up to nine people, and is the most exclusive way to experience the Maldives. The villa includes an upper area with a 550-square-metre deck, living room, and 2 bedrooms. A lift takes you down to the 101.5 square metre underwater suite with its dome-like glass ceiling.

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CANAVES OIA, GREECE The ultimate in luxury in Santorini, the precious gem of the Aegean. Magical sunsets in Oia, photogenic blue dome churches, and myriad colourful beaches await you.

Indulge in luxurious intimacy from the private veranda with its sinuous plunge pool, offering breathtaking views of a volcano and the velvet blue of the Aegean sea.

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“IF YOU THINK CHOCOLATE AND ROSES ARE GOOD ENOUGH, THINK AGAIN !”

by Natalie Langston www.natalielangston.com

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WHAT WOMEN WANT...

YOUR SUMMER SHOPPING GUIDE With the weather looking up, chances are your lady is ready for some summer fun. Aren’t we all? While this year’s summer destinations may look more like staycations, there are no shortages of amazing ways to make the most of the sunshine. After having isolated with your babe (and enduring each others’ digital conference calls), it’s important to find ways to re-connect and ignite that romantic flame. I’ve selected everything you need to make HER feel special this season with thoughtful gifts from the heart.

A LA TARTE DRESS | LITTLE WHITE HOUSE & CO. Inspired by Parisian sensibilities, Little White House & Co. curates a beautiful assortment of feminine pieces to make your lady feel her best. The perfect outfit is just as much a part of any activity as the activity itself, and this super flattering wrap dress is the ultimate finishing touch to your picnic date. With a bold summer print, this dress will have her in the mood for summer lovin’. www.littlewhitehouseco.com | $168 AERIAL BRA | ROSE LEOPARD With our favourite workout classes on pause, I’ve found it so important and grounding to find new ways to incorporate movement at home. What better way to start her day than with a morning flow, stretch, or meditation on the patio? During these uncertain times, setting intention to move with love is a must to stay positive. Help to keep her uplifted with a matching yoga set. I LOVE this print from Onzie, which is also a female-owned, empowering company you can feel good about supporting. www.onzie.com | $52 SUNDAY ROMPER | MIDNIGHT BLACK As we start stepping back into the world outside our homes, it’s still essential to have an at-home wardrobe on hand. Smash + Tess has long been one of my go-tos for feeling stylish at home. Their pieces are figure-flattering, super comfortable, and can be styled back to a blazer when she needs to hop on a video conference call! In addition to sustainable design and production, Smash + Tess supports and contributes sales proceeds to COVID relief efforts and BLM organizations. Showing her that you’re putting your support behind brands with a cause will go a long way. www.smashtess.ca | $119

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CHARLESTON PICNIC BASKET We’ve all had to get a little creative when it comes to date night without our go-to dine-in spots. An elevated picnic is the perfect way to bask in the sun while pulling out all the stops. This gorgeous picnic basket features genuine cowhide leather details, a blanket, porcelain dishware, and even a charcuterie board! Just add wine and you’ve got the makings of a perfect evening. Not to mention this picnic basket is sure to create long-lasting memories for years to come. www.wayfair.ca | $799.99

Ultra Wide Venture Hat: www.lackofcolor.com | French Leather Trimmed Market Basket: www.dreamywhitesatelier.com | Ganni Printed Underwired Swimsuit: www.net-a-porter.com | Saint Laurent Cassandra Logo Sandal: www.nordstrom.ca | GUCCI Round Sunglasses: www.nordstrom.ca

LOUNGING BY THE POOL...

Lounging by the pool will never go out of style. Set her up with everything she needs to feel confident and ready to soak up the sun. This easy sun hat from Lack of Color will protect her complexion, while this timeless Ganni swimsuit will hug her in all the right places. Top her look off with a pair of designer GUCCI sunglasses and a sleek sandal. And one last thing – don’t forget the tote! Essential for keeping SPF, a good pool-read, and maybe even a bottle of Rosé close by.

The Ultimate Romantic Getaway NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE While your summer trip abroad may have been postponed, there are still some first-class getaways to be had a little closer to home. Why not carve out some time for your lady in a romantic, 19th-century village like Niagara-on-thelake? Old world charm will be sure to spark romance, and there are countless memorable experiences to be had.

With world-renowned wineries, sprawling scenic properties, and a uniquely quaint feel, this trip is the answer to vacation withdrawal. www.niagaraonthelake.com www.vintage-hotels.com/princeofwhales/

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www.riverbendinn.ca

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www.sentinealcarriages.ca

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ARTS & MUSIC VANCOUVER’S ICONIC ART SCENE IN REVIEW

by Oliver Finlay

OTTO

TAUSK IC: It’s a pleasure to welcome you to Iconic Concierge! For those of our readers that are unfamiliar with your work and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, please can you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background, including how you have ended up in the role that you are now in?

After years of studying conducting, I ended up as the assistant of Valery Gergiev, one of the biggest maestros of our time. This is where I got my “flying hours”, which are indispensable for a conductor. My first job in the role of music director was with a large symphony orchestra in the Netherlands and later, I spent 6 years at an opera house in Switzerland.

listen to what the musicians have to say with their instruments. You have to discover where you can be helpful and where it is better to get out of the way, because most of the time a conductor just gets in the way. You need to make sure that you are always prepared and ready. Inspire and connect. Be fearless of failure, without being reckless.

OT: Thank you for this wonderful invitation to Iconic Concierge!

Besides the various music director positions, I have always guested a lot with orchestras all over the world, which is how I first came to Vancouver some years ago.

After my first week with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra I immediately felt a strong connection to the musicians and the audiences. Subsequently, I was very honoured and thrilled when I was asked to become the new Music Director of the VSO a few years later.

IC: So, what does the typical day of a symphony orchestra maestro look like?

I’m Maestro Otto Tausk, the Music Director for the VSO and I’d be delighted to share a bit of my life story.

Originally, I trained as a violinist and made the switch to conducting by chance. One day I was playing the violin as concertmaster in an orchestra and we were preparing Bach’s St Matthew passion. The conductor didn’t show up, but we still needed to rehearse so I decided to give it a try. It felt immediately as if I were in the “right place” and I felt that this was what I should have been doing all along.

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OT: Every day is very different. But there is definitely a lot of studying, travelling, rehearsing, concerts, meetings, phone calls…and trying to find time to see my family in between all of that!

IC: What qualities and attributes are valuable for an orchestra maestro to be successful?

IC: I’d love you to pull back the curtain, so to speak. When I arrive at the Orpheum and have the pleasure of experiencing a performance by the VSO, what is the work that has gone in behind the scenes to make that happen?

OT: To listen, first of all. Listen to the music,

OT: For all of us, it starts at home. Prepar-

by Ol

ing the score and getting ready for the specific repertoire on the music stand that particular week because every week the repertoire is different. It only works if every single musician knows their own part really well.

The rehearsal process changes with the repertoire. With well-known and “standard” repertoires, we can dive straight into the interpretation. However, preparing new compositions or technically demanding works require more time to get the basic elements in order. In that scenario, the conductor is more like a policeman at a busy traffic intersection, showing with clear signs who should come in next (or not yet), taking care of the balance and making sure everyone understands the composition as a whole.

IC: On a personal level, which are the unique challenges of the role that you really enjoy?

OT: Letting go is most difficult for a conductor and trust plays a big part.

But for me it is the ultimate feeling of happiness when music flows naturally, when nothing stands in between the connection of music, the orchestra, the conductor and the audience.

IC: Is there one concert that stands out in your memory, as being an incredible performance and the one that inspires you to reach those standards each time you step up on to the podium?

OT: I was so lucky to attend two concerts in the same week conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, with works by two very different composers: Haydn and Wagner. Both were performed with the most engagement, intelligence and artistry possible. This inspired me to be a convinced nonspecialist. I like to dive into repertoire of all times and styles, finding a personal and historically informed way to perform them.

IC: If budget constraints were unlimited and you were to plan your “dream” concert, which works would you include in the programme?

OT: Richard Strauss’ Elektra.

IC: But, given that we live in the real world, budget constraints are a factor.

So, how do you and the team at the VSO manage to fund the exceptional work that you do both in presenting such wonderful works but also in providing the high standards of music education that are on offer at the VSO School of Music?

OT: By making the best music we can and playing diverse repertoire. Through this we can inspire our audiences and let music be our advocate. The Music School is an

essential part of what we do and stand for. Playing an instrument, singing or just learning what to listen for, is one of the most powerful ways to connect and communicate.

IC: What challenges have been presented by the current situation of social isolation and how have the VSO managed to channel its creativity and continue to share your music?

OT: The very last concert of our Beethoven festival in March was the strangest I have ever experienced. The audience was no longer allowed in the Orpheum because of the Covid-19 restrictions, but we decided to play, nevertheless. In the end, as it turned out, for an online audience of thousands.

The silence in the empty hall after we had finished playing was especially impressive and had a great impact on everyone, but also demonstrated how much making music is not a one-way thing - the audience is a huge part of the experience and continuously inspires the musicians on stage.

IC: Upon navigating these remarkable few months, I can imagine that after being confined to our own living rooms for so many months, the majority of the population are going to really appreciate the opportunities to go out and enjoy their social lives once more.

What highlights does the next season of VSO events hold in store for us to look forward to?

OT: We have so many concerts and guest artists in our next season that are a guarantee to provide unforgettable experiences, that I wouldn’t know where to begin to select one particular highlight.

We are all hoping to see each other and our audiences in good health again soon and perform live together once more.

IC: One question we ask many of our guests, is “you can invite 5 people for a dinner party…and the guest list isn’t restricted by the confines of time and mortality. Who joins you for dinner and why?”

OT: I would love to talk to composers that have graced history. Mozart, Beethoven, Stravinsky, Prokoffiev, Mahler. I’d squeeze

in an extra place at the table and add Mussorgsky for a good glass of wine, as he was an experience expert.

IC: What three words would your friends use to describe you?

OT: Pfffff no idea!!!

IC: You’ve had the opportunity to live in various cities and countries around the world. What are the unique qualities of Vancouver that you have come to appreciate since moving here?

OT: I spend a lot of time in Vancouver, but because my wife, two boys and myself still live in the Netherlands, I spend a lot of time on the plane. When I’m in Vancouver, I eat sushi every day, swim in Kits Pool and meet many open-minded, kind and inspiring people.

IC: Where is your favourite place in the city to wind down and enjoy a quiet evening with great food?

OT: Octopus Garden!

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra continues to entertain despite the temporary restriction on live events. Visit www.vancouversymphony.ca to find details of the VSO@Home series, streamed live to the comfort of your living room.

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By Keith Trusler

Sippers

SUMMER

DO YOU NEED A SIGNATURE SUMMER COCKTAIL?

Good news: The Summer is just starting, so you don’t have to pick just one!

Ladies and Gentlemen ... somehow we have missed a few months. It is SUMMER! Cue the sun emoji, beach emoji, dancing-lady emoji, sunglasses-guy emoji, etc. We have gone through a lot lately, don’t we deserve a pat on the back and a nice, refreshing stiff drink? Yes, we do! And as we just had a DreamTeam meeting where some of us ordered some very colour- and flavourful cocktails, we thought we would introduce you to our favourite summer sippers. So sit back, relax, and pour yourself one of these warm-weather cold ones — and enjoy!

Hemingway Daiquiri

Keith Trusler’s Choice.

The Hemingway daiquiri has arguably become the most popular variation of this classic rum cocktail, and I like this updated version that uses Maraschino liqueur rather than the traditional cane syrup. Take 2 ounces white rum,

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¾ ounces lime juice, ½ ounce Maraschino liqueur, and ½ ounce ruby red grapefruit juice. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled.

Double-strain into a coup glass.

Garnish with a lime wedge. Enjoy!

Moscow Mule

What's Up Doc? Jim Gordon’s Choice:

WHAT’S UP DOC? Have you ever had carrot syrup in your cocktail? You better try it! And check out our column in this edition - UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar make the best What’s Up Doc!.

Natalie Langston’s Choice:

MOSCOW MULE I love a good Moscow Mule. Delightful, perfectly-refreshing and easy to make.

This is what they use:

So what is in a Moscow Mule? Three easy ingredients. Ginger Beer, vodka, and freshlysqueezed lime juice. And as with any cocktail with such a short ingredient list, the quality of each of those three ingredients will make a notable difference in your cocktail.

- Flor de cana 7yr Rum - Yellow Chartreuse - Cynar, Carrot & turmeric syrup - lime juice - Mrs. Better leaf bitters

1) Fill a glass or copper mug with ice.

2) Add vodka and lime juice.

3) Add ginger beer. Fill to the top with ginger beer. Stir and serve!

Garnished with a carrot ribbon... my favourite cocktail this year. Cheers!

The Paloma Jason Boudreau’s Choice:

THE PALOMA My #1 by a landslide - but it has to be made with fresh grapefruit juice!

1 ½ shots of reposado tequila; juice of half a ruby grape fruit; ½ shot of agave syrup or

Clover Club Julie-Anna Vogel’s Choice:

CLOVER CLUB This pre-Prohibition classic cocktail, was named after a men’s club that dates back to 1882, is one of Philadelphia’s contributions to mixological history - and one of my favourite Summer Sippers.

The Raspberries are not just decoration, they go so well with the

botanicals of gin and a little egg white gives it a creamy mouthfeel.

Oh-so so delicious.

1.5 oz Bombay gin ½ oz white vermouth ¾ oz fresh lemon juice ¾ oz simple syrup 4 muddled raspberries 1oz of egg whites

sugar syrup and about 75ml club soda.

Sometimes I add a couple slices of jalapeño to spice it up, and/or use Mezcal instead of Tequila for a different, smoky flavour.

Try it! You’ll love it!

THE NOGRONI INGREDIENTS Seedlip Spice 94: 25ml Æcorn Bitter: 25ml Æcorn Aromatic: 25ml GLASS & GARNISH Stemless wine Garnish w/ Orange slice or wedge METHOD Build over ice and stir

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CITY tonight!

O ur

by Jim Gordon & Leeta Liepins

The Iconic Concierge Magazine version of the weekly, national TV show, “Our City Tonight”, which can be seen Sundays at 12:30pm on City TV. You can also see past episodes on the “Our City Tonight” YouTube channel and follow them on Instagram & twitter at: @ourcitytonight @jimgordontv @lifewithleeta

Brunch now offered Sat/Sun/ Holiday Mon: 10am - 12pm

UVA WINE & COCKTAIL BAR

900 SEYMOUR ST.

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604.632.9560

A month and a half ago, we slowly, cautiously and hopefully began to re-emerge from a winter of isolation, and the city’s dining scene has been doing their best to recover from these unprecedented times. In our first restaurant visit since early March, we chose Cibo Trattoria and its sister location, Uva Wine and Cocktail Bar. Both are located in the trendy Moda Hotel in the city’s arts and entertainment district. These establishments have been part of Vancouver’s dining/cocktail scene for over a decade, but if it’s been some time since you visited (and we counted ourselves in that group, especially with Cibo), after a night of dining and cocktail sampling, we can say confidently, it’s time for you to return.

Our night began in the award-winning Uva Wine and Cocktail Bar, a cozy, beautifully lit spot with a great collections of superb cocktails. For us, 2 pre-dinner cocktails: the “What’s Up Doc” (Flor de cana 7yr Rum, Yellow Chartreuse, Cynar, Carrot & turmeric syrup, lime juice, Mrs. Better leaf bitters

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ICONIC CONCIERGE

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www.uvavancouver.com | www.cibotrattoria.com

with a carrot ribbon garnish) and “Midsummer Dream” (Hendricks limited Midsummer solstice Gin, Aperol, Martini Bianco, pickled beet syrup, lemon juice, Mrs. Better cucumber bitters and after shaking, topped with soda and garnish with a cucumber ribbon). Both were tasty, superbly made and the perfect start to our evening.

New Excutive Chef, Jesse Zuber, was one of the top reasons we chose to dine at Cibo. Over the years, under the tutelage of people like Rob Feenie, Dale McKay and “pasta mentor” Adam Pegg, he has learned much, which also included 6 years in Saskatchewan’s culinary scene. “It allowed me to step away from Vancouver’s trendy setting for a while”, Zuber tells us, “but I’m excited to be here at Cibo.” Over the next hour and a half, Zuber delivered a spectacular sampling of Italian cuisine, starting with Insalata, Burrata, Carpaccio (the best we have had), and Capesante with young leek, roasted morel and toasted almond. These courses were all perfectlyBEN HOWARD

proportioned for sharing, something Zuber is focused on. “We’re trying to create a shared experience with our selections, especially after the last few months of isolation”, he tells us while serving the highlights of the night: Maltagliati All’ Amatriciana, with guanciale, onion, San Marzano tomato & pecorino and his Risotto Alla Milanese with one year aged Acquerello rice, saffron, bone marrow, butter & parmigiano reggiano (both dishes priced under $25). Our last course also deserves praise: Tagliata Di Manzo, 30-day, dry-aged beef rib eye, arugula, olive oil, balsamic, and parmigiano reggiano. There was an ongoing theme throughout the meal: Chef Jesse Zuber’s attention to detail, something he added to each course that raised the taste experience to a higher level. Everything about this meal was memorable!

Throughout the evening, we had the opportunity to chat with several other members of the team, including Assistant GM and Sommelier, Barret Pearson. Like Chef Zuber, Pearson has built an impressive resume in our city, including stints as restaurant Sommelier at Wildebeest and overseeing the wine program at Le Crocodile. His wine pairings were a journey through some of the wine regions of Italy with each one complementing the food to perfection! (see his wine choices below).

Visiting Cibo Trattoria & Uva Wine and Cocktail Bar was the perfect choice for our first night out after a long break LEON BRIDGES from our city’s dining scene. Take our advice, make a night of it and visit both of these hidden gems!

Wines Sampled: • Gancia Rose • Montenidoli Fiore Vernaccia di San Gimignano • Feudi San Gregorio “Albente” Falanghina from Campania • Poderi Luigi Einaudi – Dogliani (the region, in Piedmont) Dolcetto D’alba • Campo ai Sassi Rosso di Montalcino 2015 |Marchesi di Frescobaldi in Toscana • Massolino Moscato D’Asti to finish (a great producer in Barolo)

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CH ATE AU L AURI ER AT FI RST SH AUGH NESSY

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